Why Miami's Uber and Lyft Drivers Are Taking to the Streets

Miami Uber and Lyft drivers have taken to the streets in droves for various reasons, disobeying county regulations while operating without proper licenses. Drivers told WINK News they do not receive enough pay to cover rising gas prices and inflation, and are demanding higher wages. 1. Taxi Drivers Are Leaving Their Cars at Home Miami-Dade County boasts the third-busiest airport in the US, leading millions of people each day to utilize taxis and ride-hailing services as they commute between airport and their daily destinations. One reason taxi drivers have abandoned their vehicles is criticism for failing to charge sufficient fares for services rendered. Given that cabs often serve as the sole mode of transport in dense cities, drivers must charge extra. Taxis also charge fees for waiting at airport pickup points and dropping passengers off at their destinations. Unlike Uber and Lyft services that can be easily utilized at any time, taxis must meet strict city council regulations such as passing an English test and vehicle inspections in order to qualify for their licenses. Furthermore, taxi drivers must carry insurance in case they become involved in an accident or experience vehicle damage. Drivers have the authority to decline service from passengers who do not heed instructions or leave an unpleasant impression, including intoxicated customers who create havoc in their cab. However, drivers should avoid making this an absolute rule and always show respect to their passengers if they wish to protect their business and ensure the passengers' safety. Tipping drivers is essential to their motivation and ensures they have enough funds for fuel costs. The Taxi Bill of Rights grants them the authority to refuse service to intoxicated passengers who make an unfavorable impression and who pose safety concerns. Taxis need a living and support their families, so passengers should treat them fairly. The taxi industry has advocated for laws mandating fingerprinting of drivers, prompting fierce opposition from ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. A Chicago licensing and fingerprinting task force is currently conducting a six-month study to see whether fingerprinting would improve driver safety. 2. The Taxi Industry Isn’t Paying Enough Taxes Taxis have long been heavily regulated by municipalities and provinces, both locally and provincially. Government bodies determine what taxi cab companies can charge their customers, who their drivers should be, as well as how many taxis may operate within an area. But as technology develops, the rules that regulate taxis have become outdated, jeopardizing its long-term survival and placing at risk the taxi industry's long-term success. Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), for instance, regulates how much cab drivers can charge per mile or minute and sets lease fees for taxi companies - as well as monitoring where cabs go. But with Uber disrupting the taxi market and its old rules becoming obsolete. One of the main factors contributing to taxi industry financial woes is a decline in medallion revenue, or medallion sales by taxi companies that operate fleets of taxicabs around city streets. Medallion values have skyrocketed over recent years, yet taxi owners aren't realizing any higher returns due to other companies taking advantage of medallion system to drive down prices of these cabs. Owners of taxi medallions are struggling to make ends meet. Some have even taken out loans to buy these medallions - which serve as permits that enable drivers to operate taxi cabs - which entitle them to drive cabs legally. Cab owners are effectively trapped in medallion systems because they can't exit without repaying loans; while drivers have found their paychecks disappearing due to ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, cab drivers face an uphill struggle as well as an ongoing fight to regulate and keep safe the industry they rely on for employment. To keep its customers coming back, the taxi industry needs to embrace new technologies and regulations that will make their experience more appealing. By keeping up with advances like self-driving cars and merging taxis with public transport systems, this industry will ensure it thrives long into the future. 3. The Taxi Industry Is Taking a Bite Out of the Ride-Sharing Industry The taxi industry faces many threats. These include the advent of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft that offer cheaper and more convenient rides than taxis; another challenge lies with changing consumer behaviors - more people opting to use their own cars or public transportation to navigate city streets instead of hiring a cab for transportation needs. Regulation that limits the taxi industry has also made it challenging for it to adapt to an ever-evolving market, which poses long-term risks to our economy. This is particularly pertinent in Miami where ride-hailing companies have gained market share quickly. If this industry wishes to remain viable over time, it must work hard at keeping pace with these rapid changes. Taxi businesses are turning to innovation as a way of adapting to an ever-evolving environment, using software to streamline business processes and enhance customer experiences. Furthermore, some are also taking measures such as repainting vehicles more neutral colors or dropping "taxi" from their names in order to cope. Other innovations include permitting drivers to rent their vehicle on flexible terms rather than being locked into long-term leases that can become cumbersome to manage, like New York's NYC Taxi Group's effort of using an app on smartphones to give drivers access to lease their taxi cab at times that suit them best. While these innovations may not be enough to save the taxi industry outright, they can help ensure its existence for years to come. Furthermore, according to John Boit of Taxicab Limousine & Paratransit Association. they aim to remove outdated regulations no longer serving their purpose as soon as possible. He added that the TLPA has also announced plans to launch a "ride local" branding campaign, similar to "shop local" and "eat local". This initiative seeks to remind consumers that taxi services provide valuable services they should support by way of patronage. 4. Taxi Drivers Are Taking to the Streets Uber and Lyft might have their detractors, but there are plenty of compelling arguments in their favor. One such reason is how these ride-sharing services make cities more accessible and affordable for those unable to purchase their own vehicles; additionally, a University of Chicago study revealed that cities where Uber and Lyft are prevalent have seen an uptick in new car registrations due to increased availability. Rachel Holt, general manager of Uber, notes that many ride-sharing drivers may be between jobs or looking for additional income through Uber's ride sharing service. Some may use driving for Uber as an avenue to pay down debt or save money, according to Holt. Ride-sharing apps provide drivers with an ideal opportunity to make extra cash. By signing up in popular areas and being available when passengers require rides, their earnings can increase exponentially. But even when drivers take every effort to take full advantage of every passenger opportunity, this can still lead to serious complications. Miami can be an incredibly bustling city, particularly during night time parties when partygoers fill its streets. Unfortunately, this means there may be drunk drivers present that could endanger both riders and drivers on its roads. Also, many TNC drivers don't know Miami well enough to safely navigate its streets and traffic patterns, leading to accidents due to "deadheading," an unsafe practice which poses risks to both driver and rider safety. Gridwise can provide TNC drivers with invaluable assistance. Their app uses data analytics to find the most profitable locations where drivers can pick up rides. One way for drivers to maximize earnings is with self-driving vehicles, like those being tested by Argo AI and Ford in Miami this winter.