On Saturday, Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers staged a protest at the Atlanta airport to advocate for improved compensation.
According to reports, at 4 p.m., the drivers deactivated their apps and stationed themselves at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for several hours, causing disruptions to holiday travel. The aim of the protest was to convey a message to rideshare companies that drivers merit increased wages, asserting that the current earnings per ride are insufficient. As per the report, drivers expressed receiving less than 50% of the fare for the ride, with some reporting receiving less than 30%.
A spokesperson from Uber defended the company’s stance on rideshare drivers’ pay, stating that certain drivers have the potential to earn over $30 per hour.
“Earnings in Atlanta are more than $30 an hour when drivers are actively working on the platform,” the spokesperson said. “Drivers also receive fare and destination information upfront before they accept a trip and are fully empowered to decide what trips are worth their time.”
Additionally, a spokesperson from Lyft says drivers receive compensation through three distinct channels: upfront pay, tips, and bonuses.
“Lyft takes the concerns of drivers very seriously and are regularly exploring ways to improve their experience on the platform,” the spokesperson added.
“Last year, we introduced Upfront Pay in Georgia and across the country, which shows drivers ride information and what they’ll earn before accepting a ride. We also provide drivers a weekly pay summary that shows a breakdown of their earnings and the total amount riders paid.”
Despite the protest, numerous passengers at the Atlanta airport rideshare zone informed news outlets that they encountered no issues when requesting Uber or Lyft rides. Nevertheless, the drivers who organized the boycott mentioned that they are already planning another protest.
