photo by Tim Brown
Thanks to a few folks for sending:
“Dear PoPville,
I’m waiting for my Empower driver now (Friday)
6:55 Hope this is real. If the vehicle actually arrives, I’ll ask the driver what he knows.
7:00 I’m in the vehicle. Driver has no idea how long it has been back, because he’s new to Empower.
7:12 It was real! Just like before, Empower’s GPS was off by a smidge. It helps to put in a street address as far from the Potomac River as possible. The closer you are, the weirder it gets. They must have bought it bargain priced from Estonia or something. I didn’t mind walking a couple of blocks. But it was a real-deal, cheaper-than-Uber-or-Lyft Empower ride, where the driver keeps all the money. I have no idea how they worked this out, but I’m thrilled they’re back.”
AND
Empower is back!!! Thanks goodness because uber has been jacking up the prices.”
From Empower:
“Empower is happy to share that the Temporary Amendment Act that forced Empower to cease facilitating the provision of for-hire rides in the District while the Company pursues numerous legal appeals, has expired.
Empower expects that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will continue to oppose affordable transportation and the right of drivers to work for themselves due to her close relationships with Uber senior executives, but we are hopeful that likely incoming Mayor Janeese Lewis George, who has campaigned on helping hard-working folks and on affordability, will stop persecuting drivers who simply want the right to work for themselves just like every other service professional in the District.
Please note, at least until Mayor Bowser has left office, any ride activity in the District of Columbia booked using Empower’s software is not subject to any contract between Empower and your driver.
TOGETHER WE WILL EMPOWER!
Team Empower”