Fwd: Uber and Lyft's Effort to Disrupt Public Transportation Will Hurt the Environment and Screw the Poor

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Denis White

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Sep 18, 2017, 8:28:23 PM9/18/17
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Hana Creger
August 26, 2017
AlterNet
 
So who will be most harmed by less public transit service? Well, everyone who breathes dirtier air or sits in clogged traffic as transit use declines will be hurt, but transit-dependent low-income communities of color will suffer most. And city leaders can’t just ask these riders to replace their usual bus routes by downloading a ride-hailing app.
 
 

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A 15-minute Uber ride or a 30-minute transit ride? For affluent city dwellers who increasingly prefer comfort and convenience, this choice is a no-brainer. However, this choice is a privilege that remains out of reach for those who live in transit-dependent low-income communities, who face many barriers to accessing ride-hailing services.

Uber competing with taxis is old news, but many now worry that ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft compete with public transit for riders. Not only can ride-hailing service be incredibly convenient, nowadays it can be dirt cheap, increasing the appeal of simply opening the mobile app. This trend may come as no surprise to cities with limited and inefficient transit that are losing their poor, transit-dependent riders in droves to gentrification.

However, a 2017 study shows that even in New York City, Lyft and Uber ridership is increasing, as subway and bus ridership declines. When ride-hailing services threaten even the best public transit network in the country, you know we have a major problem. The graphs below show the changes in ridership by mode from the baseline of the previous year.

This drop in ridership and revenue indicates has made it harder for some cities to invest in public transit. Given this reality, cities may rely more heavily on shared mobility services such as bikesharing, carsharing, luxury commuter shuttles and ride-hailing services to replace public transit trips. Some public transit agencies are already testing this idea, and are providing subsidies to ride-hailing companies as a substitute to transit.

So who will be most harmed by less public transit service? Well, everyone who breathes dirtier air or sits in clogged traffic as transit use declines will be hurt, but transit-dependent low-income communities of color will suffer most. And city leaders can’t just ask these riders to replace their usual bus routes by downloading a ride-hailing app. Lyft and Uber don’t work for all demographics, especially those in rural areas, and those without access to banks or smartphones.

And while ridesharing fares have become cheaper over time, generally they are still much more expensive than public transit. While Lyft and Uber have vague “anti-discrimination” policies on their websites, there are no specific procedures to prevent discriminatory practices such as drivers going offline to avoid requests in lower-income areas.

A study showed that African-Americans faced 30 percent longer wait times and were twice as likely to have their ride cancelled as their white counterparts. Before cities open the floodgates to shared mobility services—Uber and Lyft in particular–they must take smart steps to reduce the harm to transit-dependent communities of color. 

San Francisco recently began taking proactive steps to address potential harms of shared mobility services by approving a set of Guiding Principles for Management of Emergence Transportation Services to be used in all decisions and policies relating to these shared mobility options, including ride-hailing, microtransit, bike and carsharing, etc. The principles cover ten categories, including equitable access, sustainability, congestion, fair labor practices, and the need to complement as opposed to competing with transit. This marks a step in the right direction in reigning in the shared mobility industry and ensuring equity and sustainability are meaningful parts of their business models.

While the shared mobility industry can play an important role in our transportation system, it must not be allowed to completely replace biking, walking, and clean public transit. Lyfts and Ubers contribute to congestion and pollution, and failure to regulate them enables the automobile addiction of cities worldwide. A report from New York City shows ridesharing companies have caused a net increase of 600 million vehicle miles traveled, resulting in a 3 to 4 percent upsurge in traffic. Duke University released a report concluding that a single-occupancy vehicle emits 89 pounds of CO2 per 100 passenger miles, while a full bus emits only 14 pounds.

Meanwhile, the rapid growth of electric buses and other clean technologies will only further increase the efficiency of public transit—strengthening the argument that public transit is cleaner and more efficient than Lyfts and Ubers, and therefore should be a top priority in transportation planning. That’s one of the reasons the No Uber Oakland campaign has made working with—and not undermining—public transit one of its demands of the ride-hailing giant. 

Greenlining’s Mobility Equity Framework seeks to ensure that the business objectives of shared mobility companies do not eclipse investments in clean forms of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transit. Low-income communities of color need greater access to clean, affordable transportation options that serve as connectors to economic opportunity. This framework will prioritize clean transportation options that align with equity and sustainability goals, before hastily rolling out the red carpet for the shared mobility industry.

Hana Creger is the environmental equity coordinator at the Greenlining Institute. Follow her on Twitter @hanacreger.

  
 
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bo...@peak.org

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Sep 18, 2017, 10:18:26 PM9/18/17
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One must remember that our buses are free to ride.  So, this competition with public transportation argument doesn't appear to be relevant to Corvallis.

However, their presence will make it difficult for our current taxi companies to compete.  Although, my limited experience with the locals hasn't been especially positive.  On the other hand, the drivers for Uber and Lyft will be local individuals, not folks brought in from elsewhere.  Just don't like the idea of these, now, megacorps muscling into our community like Home Depot did.

Bob Ozretich

From: "Denis White" <capeb...@peak.org>
To: south-c...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2017 5:28:17 PM
Subject: [south-corvallis] Fwd: Uber and Lyft's Effort to Disrupt Public Transportation Will Hurt the Environment and Screw the Poor

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Otmar Ebenhoech

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Sep 19, 2017, 3:57:08 AM9/19/17
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Although this article seems well crafted, it seems irrelevant for our city. 
I just rode in a shared ride Lyft today for the first (as I am visiting SF). I'm impressed, quick, convenient and low cost. Since the schedules of transit are unusable for me, we would have taken a private car. Pollution of a cold start in an average car is huge, so it seems to me that unless you drive electric as i usually do, Lyft is much cleaner than any reasonable alternative. Additionally not needing to park (or negotiate a taxi fare and the waiting uncertainty) saves a lot of time. 

I think public transit is great, if you want to promote it, improve it so it's better than the alternatives. You can't expect people to suffer with old tech like occasional busses and unreliable taxis when the world has moved to on demand highly optimized ride sharing. 
The Stone Age didn't end for a lack of stones. 
Others have moved on, Corvallis can too. 

-Otmar, on mobile device.



-Otmar, on mobile device.
On Sep 18, 2017, at 7:18 PM, bo...@peak.org wrote:

One must remember that our buses are free to ride.  So, this competition with public transportation argument doesn't appear to be relevant to Corvallis.

However, their presence will make it difficult for our current taxi companies to compete.  Although, my limited experience with the locals hasn't been especially positive.  On the other hand, the drivers for Uber and Lyft will be local individuals, not folks brought in from elsewhere.  Just don't like the idea of these, now, megacorps muscling into our community like Home Depot did.

Bob Ozretich

From: "Denis White" <capeb...@peak.org>
To: south-c...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2017 5:28:

Denis White

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Sep 19, 2017, 12:48:36 PM9/19/17
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Uber and Lyft are multinational companies.  They have no personal relationships with the drivers who contract with them.  They have financial resources to oppose attempts to regulate or unionize them.  As with other new business models they, especially Uber, may test their ability to operate in any way that is profitable until public opinion or government decides to address possible illegal or unfair activities.

Recent reports include that these companies,

Have not done background checks on drivers:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/04/05/uber-lyft-ride-hailing-drivers-fail-new-background-checks/aX3pQy6Q0pJvbtKZKw9fON/story.html

Will oppose regulation requiring background checks, and succeed at state level over local control:
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/25/uber-lyft-returning-austin-monday/

Have faced litigation for illegal employment practice, sex attacks by drivers, ...
http://fortune.com/2017/08/31/ubers-new-ceo-is-in-a-lose-lose-situation/

Oppose unionization of drivers:
https://seattle.curbed.com/2017/8/2/16086256/uber-lyft-union-lawsuit-dismissed

Have been subpoened by the SF city attorney for info on drivers and their coverage:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uber-lyft-subpoenas-san-francisco/

Illegally pry into competitor's business:
http://fortune.com/2017/09/08/uber-lyft-fbi/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-faces-fbi-probe-overprogram-targeting-rival-lyft-1504872001

And may be superceded by auto manufacturers' autonomous ride-hailing services:
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4099080-uber-lyft-might-toast

Denis

bo...@peak.org

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Sep 20, 2017, 2:45:05 PM9/20/17
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Denis,

Thank you for all these reference links.  Had you shared them with our City's councilors before their vote?

Bob

From: "Denis White" <capeb...@peak.org>
To: fo...@evcl.com, south-c...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 9:48:00 AM
Subject: Re: [south-corvallis] Fwd: Uber and Lyft's Effort to Disrupt Public Transportation Will Hurt the Environment and Screw the Poor

John W. Ross

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Sep 20, 2017, 4:53:38 PM9/20/17
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Key question. I would sure like to know--both who and when. 

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, <bo...@peak.org> wrote:
Denis,

Thank you for all these reference links.  Had you shared them with our City's councilors before their vote?

Bob

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"On a recent survey, just 74 percent of Americans said that the earth revolves around the sun.”      --Atlantic Monthly article, Feb. 15, 2014                             
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Denis White

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Sep 20, 2017, 9:08:21 PM9/20/17
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I did not send this information to anyone or anyplace except [south-corvallis].  I only put together these links on Tuesday after I saw Otmar's email.

Denis
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Michael Viliardos

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Sep 20, 2017, 11:12:52 PM9/20/17
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As an occasional user of uber (about 12 times a year) I have to have to say I much prefer them over taxis.  It's easy to use, less expensive, and the drivers have all been super friendly. All the drivers I've asked like working for uber.  Also, the cars are cleaner than taxis and they drive more sane than cab drivers.

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John W. Ross

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Sep 21, 2017, 5:03:19 AM9/21/17
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This moved so quietly and quickly it smells. The fix was in by all appearences. Hold politicians accountable. 

Carol

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Sep 21, 2017, 10:13:09 AM9/21/17
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I am in  complete agreement with Otmar! Thanks for your response, Otmar.

My Senior peers (70) are using Uber and Lyft for-and-during travels and all are describing it as convenient, easy, and pleasant. (I just downloaded the apps.) Just last week a neighbor's friend had to get to Immediate Care in Corvallis and the taxi service did not answer; she kept leaving voicemails to them. She finally found a neighbor to drive her instead...

Last year a neighbor pre-arranged a van to get her to the shuttle pick-up (for 5-months travel)  in Corvallis. They did not show up and she scrambled in the dark morning hours to find someone awake who could take her last minute! She barely made it.

My daughter only uses public transportation (she cannot drive or ride a bike). Using the bus means she can't travel on Sundays, or later in the evenings. Getting to appointments on time, or arranging multiple tasks in a day become very difficult. When a dentist "just needed her to sign a piece of paper they had forgotten" it took *hours* with the bus. Just last week she was leaving a grocery store with full bags, and dropped and broke her phone. She walked to AT&T and discovered she had to get it fixed @Batteries +Bulbs...but by now her frozen foods were melting! She took a bus to get home, put her groceries away, and negotiated getting another bus to Batteries + Bulbs. This sequence took up her day, and she still needed to get her phone fixed and get home again. 

I am SO grateful that she has more travel options in Corvallis now. She can take an evening class and get home safely. She can visit a friend after 7 pm or go somewhere on Sunday now. So many opportunities have opened up. This is a positive move for so many. 🙂

Carol









 

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Jason P

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Sep 21, 2017, 11:49:23 AM9/21/17
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I think its worth a try.  The buses are free so there won't be much of an impact there.  There is an endless supply of potential drivers and potential riders (students).  And this will likely keep more drunk drivers off the road on weekends (getting a cab is harder than you'd think it should be).  Perhaps it will inspire more people to try out going car-less or perhaps only use 1 car.

I frequently use it on business trips and its so nice to have it available so I don't have to rent a car.


-Jason

John W. Ross

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Sep 21, 2017, 12:15:23 PM9/21/17
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To me, the question is not do these services work for some of the people some of the time so much as are the community interests at large served or degraded. Does your friend know about Dial a Bus at this number: (541) 752-2615. There's another service my neighbor uses for her doctors appointments.

But the real question is do the benefits for some individuals outweigh the costs to the community--more free buses riding around with fewer passengers for the benefit of some of the people some of the time.

However, if Council has already approved these services, as I read in the G-T, this discussion is worthless as hindsight.

"On a recent survey, just 74 percent of Americans said that the earth revolves around the sun.”      --Atlantic Monthly article, Feb. 15, 2014                             
jwr



John W. Ross

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Sep 22, 2017, 12:13:41 PM9/22/17
to Denis White, South Corvallis
To Dennis' list of Uber issues, today's news brings London's revocation of the company's license for a range of corporate irresponsibility issues, including driver background checks and safety issues:

http://observer.com/2017/09/uber-loses-license-to-operate-in-london-over-lack-of-responsibility/?google_editors_picks=true

"On a recent survey, just 74 percent of Americans said that the earth revolves around the sun.”      --Atlantic Monthly article, Feb. 15, 2014                             
jwr



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