Travelers wait for ride-share vehicles at O'Hare Airport in Chicago in April. Uber and Lyft drivers will go on strike Wednesday. By Luz Lazo Luz Lazo Transportation reporter covering Washington's Metro, buses, Capital Bikeshare and taxis, and the region's road network Email Bio Follow May 7 at 1:46 PM Getting an Uber or a Lyft may be impossible — or take longer and cost more — Wednesday when drivers for both companies plan to strike in major U.S.
It is unclear how the labor action might affect travel, but experts say disruptions are likely in cities where the app-based rides have become a critical mode of transportation. Riders should anticipate surge pricing and longer wait times due to a possible shortage of drivers, they say. In some markets, drivers are asking passengers to support their cause by boycotting the services in cases where drivers are working.
“We’ll have extra dispatchers available to help manage any increased crowds in the taxi lines on the curb and ensure that customers can get on their way as quickly and safely as possible,” said Christina Saull, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “At Reagan National, we always encourage passengers to consider using Metrorail as a good alternative to ground transportation — that advice would definitely apply to Wednesday as well.
An Uber spokeswoman declined to speculate on the possible effects of a strike, and Lyft did not respond to a request for comment Monday. In a statement, Uber said: “Drivers are at the heart of our service — we can’t succeed without them — and thousands of people come into work at Uber every day focused on how to make their experience better, on and off the road.
TootlestheTaxi Good for Public Transport and Licenced Taxis. That’s what Public should be using to ease congestion & pollution. The rest ie: U***, L*** etc..are non jobs that allows them subsidies at taxpayers expense to enrich non-tax paying corporations. Switch of App and be gone forever.
Good for them!!
I keep hearing this called a 'strike'. Uber and Lyft don't have unions. Drivers are independent contractors. They can't 'strike'. If they want to make an impact then they should just turn off their app and they won't be available to pick up anyone.
Working conditions? It’s your car! 😂😂
Arent these drivers sitting in their own car?😁Buy a new car and you'll improve your working conditions.
Then should drive a taxi 😂
Uber is not a job, the commercial tells us it's a 'side hustle' 🤣🤣🤣
Get a real job if you want more money.