Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
1–10 of 143 posts
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#2Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there (http://goo.gl/cXlhzb). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your contractors as being "lost" when they can walk over to your competitor and work almost seamlessly.
Uber pulling out of Kansas makes half of the KC metro area impossible to work in. I'm curious if this will have a major impact on Uber's future in the entire city.
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#3Does anyone have details on the associated costs involved for Uber and/or the drivers? I can't imagine background checks being very excessive for the drivers, so maybe it's grossly expensive and miscategorized insurance?
Uber + Lyft just relaunched here in Portland. Drivers are required to have valid business licenses and pass a background check too. Everyone is very happy with the changes. (except our local taxi commission, of course)
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#4Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there ( http://goo.gl/cXlhzb ). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your cont…
Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move
I've got a lot of reservations about calling Uber/Lyft a "job" in the first place; in fact I have a lot of problems with these "sharing economy" apps-calling them jobs when really you're just subcontracting labor on the cheap while the business side collects massive investments and benefits for the full-time employees.
It's like when you drive by a Dominos Pizza {substitute with the chain of your choice} and they have signs "make $15/hr"; you'll maybe make $15/hr on an incredibly busy day or a sudden surge in ride requests, but what's the mean? Is $15/hr the mean? If not, you don't get to advertise "make $15/hr".
I said it once at the start of all of these talks two years ago: It's becoming increasingly apparent to me that "disruption" in so many startups more recently means less "disruption with the goals of bringing about much needed substantive change to local regulation" and more like "give my company special treatment to operate". And it's a hard pill for cities to wave off when the population centers are all clamoring for an alternative to taxis.
okay I'm done ninja editing.
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#5Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there ( http://goo.gl/cXlhzb ). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your cont…
Also, here's a video of Kansas City's mayor, Sly James, speaking about the frustration of these negotations from his side of things prior to the vote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHjJUJW0Jt4
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#6How despotic! Lawmakers demanding background checks and insurance from taxi drivers! This is outrageous. Where is muh freedom? I want to be able to hire a taxi with a rapist driver! http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/...
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#7Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there ( http://goo.gl/cXlhzb ). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your cont…
I hope this has a big impact on Uber even outside of Kansas.
I think any customer would prefer background checks for drivers. Being defiant against them is just bad PR.
Background checks cost $20, or if you go through a channeler because you want your results in a couple days, you can pay $50.. This is a tiny price to pay for the safety of thousands of passengers, not to mention it wouldn't cost them anything, as they could defer the cost to the drivers as a part of the application process.
Trying to skimp out on insurance also goes further to show a wanton disregard for passenger safety.
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#8All of this nonsense about insurance and checks and blah makes me weep for humanity. If I can hitch hike legally, why can't I pay for the same service?
Basically it seems to me that regulation has the effect of forcing lifestyles upon people. You can't just sell people things, you have to be a Thing Seller and devote yourself to that regulatory environment and then you can sell some of the people some of the things.
Bonkers.
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#9Uber has been having similar regulatory fights in Kansas City, which recently passed ordinances that Uber claimed would make it prohibitive to do business there ( http://goo.gl/cXlhzb ). Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move, despite the fact that its competitors (Lyft, etc.) would abide by the new rules and continue to operate. It seems a little silly to talk about the jobs of your cont…
Uber made claims that "thousands of jobs" would be lost in the move I've got a lot of reservations about calling Uber/Lyft a "job" in the first place; in fact I have a lot of problems with these "sharing economy" apps-calling them jobs when really you're just subcontracting labor on the cheap while the business side collects massive investments and benefits for the full-time employees. It's like when you drive by a D…
I think I agree with you, but I'm hesitant to to slight somebody for how they making an honest living. All "jobs" aren't created equal, especially of many jobs are contracted or low paying without benefits. It's unfortunate that this kind of (presumably it's political in origin) rhetoric has colored our reality as it has.
Re: Uber leaves Kansas after lawmakers demand background checks and more insurance
#10Good riddance.