Having trouble getting a ride with Uber or Lyft today?
Drivers for both ride-hailing apps are protesting for 12 hours from noon until midnight in light of Uber's upcoming $90 billion IPO. Protesters site low wages and a lack of other benefits for the strike.
Reports of how many drivers will strike and how many commuters will be affected are unclear, however, the organizer of the strike, Rideshare Drivers United Georgia, expects delays.
In response to the strike, Uber has agreed to “continue working to improve the experience for and with drivers," while Lyft claims the average driver on their app earns $20 per hour and the company is “constantly working to improve how we can best serve our driver community.”
As of 12:43 p.m., an UberX ride from Buckhead to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was estimated at $24.35. The same ride with Lyft was estimated at $24.93. Both apps reported several drivers were at least 3 to 5 minutes away for pickup.
Protests were organized following sweeping wage cuts across both apps, Rideshare Drivers United said. Reports of a protest at Uber's hub in Chambelee have started pouring in. There's another protest scheduled at 5 p.m. at the Lyft hub in Atlanta.
Uber and Lyft riders took to Twitter to express their solidarity or opposition to the strike Wednesday afternoon.
@stevesolomon — I love ya, bud, but the people of #Atlanta (including yours truly) would revolt if Uber and Lyft disappeared. The cabbies are corrupt crooks, often charging 2.5x more than the average Uber ride. @Czabe
— Jay Clemons (@ByJayClemons) May 8, 2019
Y'all please don't use uber/lyft/doordash/postmates today.
Respect the strike. #UberLyftStrike
— Lea Marzo (@DrLeaMarzo) May 8, 2019
Lyft driver Joshua Harris holds sign with an example of his earnings at Chamblee rally. https://t.co/VR1OtSkdXD pic.twitter.com/2VP4gEsVpv
— Rikki Klaus (@RikkiKlausWSB) May 8, 2019
apparently not working because I can right now get a uber/lyft anytime.
— Jeffrey A Tucker (@jeffreyatucker) May 8, 2019
