Uber Drivers Protest in Boston

When I think about the time before Uber and other ride share apps were created it feels like decades ago. Taxis seems outdated these days because Uber is faster and more efficient. In the past couple weeks Boston has reverted back to the times before Uber. Almost all of the Uber Drivers in Boston are protesting and staying off the streets. This interruption is because Govener Baker has banned price surging for Uber and other rideshare apps. Price Surging occurs naturally when areas or cities have a high number of people requesting rides. The more people wanting a ride makes the price of a ride higher.

Currently the average wait time for an Uber ride is 147% longer than the wait time for an Uber in New York City. This is also a problem because for the first time since the pandemic started, people are wanting to be in public again and go places. this also causes a higher demand that drivers want to profit off of. Uber drivers are protesting until the Governor approves price surging on the app again. The Governor has not made any public statements about this issue yet and has not approved any requests to restore price surging to the app. I think that the governor should make a statement soon because many people are worried about their safety.

Many people rely on services like Uber to ride home safely at night and without it they have to walk to their destination which can be dangerous. Another issue poeple are worried about is drunk driving. Since people are now aware that it is difficult to get an Uber they may resort to using their car to get to their destination. When people start drinking they don't use their best judgement and this can lead to driving while intoxicated beyond the legal limit.

The Boston Independent Drivers Guild has been vocal about this issue and have taken a stance against the Governor. The Boston Independent Drivers Guild is a nonprofit that adovacates for unionization, improved pay and better protections for Uber and other app based driving services. The organization was made for this specific situation.