Rideshare

Lyft Launches “Oppose DC’s Ridesharing Tax” Campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ruth for passing on from Lyft:

“Oppose DC’s Ridesharing Tax

DC’s City Council is considering a 500% increase in taxes on Lyft rides. We need your help to keep Lyft affordable in the District.

Ed. Note: From the Washington Post:

“The proposal, which had first been floated in budget documents released this week, would raise the “gross receipts tax” on Uber, Lyft and Via ride-hailing services from 1 to 6 percent, rather than the 4.75 percent Bowser had proposed. The mayor sought the tax increase as a way to help raise money for the District’s $178 million share of dedicated funding for the Metro rail system.”

If approved, this tax will be one of the highest on Lyft in the country. It will make Lyft less affordable for the many District residents who count on us for reliable transportation – particularly those who live far from transit or need rides when transit doesn’t operate.

We’ve collaborated with DC City Council since arriving in the District in 2013, and we will continue to work with them to make transportation affordable and accessible for all. But they need to hear from passengers like you about this proposed tax. Take a moment to send them a message.”

“Via and Mobike offer industry-first rideshare + bikeshare bundle”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: I imagine JUMP and UBER gotta be planning something similar.

From Mobike:

“Via and Mobike have teamed up to launch the first-ever multi-modal transportation bundle that includes both rideshare and bikeshare in a single subscription.

A 4-week ViaPass will now include free Via rides plus unlimited access to Mobike’s network of dockless bikes for a low upfront fee.

In honor of Earth Day and to celebrate the launch, Via and Mobike are announcing the #MyEarthDayCommute challenge, calling on DC residents to ditch their personal cars and share a Via or share a Mobike for one week to reduce their carbon footprint.

Here’s how it works: (more…)

Beware of Fake Uber Driver

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

“Dear PoPville,

I’m writing as a PSA. Thursday night I left a club downtown and got into what I thought was my Uber. He had rolled down his window and asked “Uber?” I stated my name and he said “yes, get in.” I was headed somewhere in Virginia about 20 minutes away and didn’t realize he headed towards Maryland. Admittedly I had been drinking and I would have noticed I was going in the wrong direction had I been sober but was looking down at my phone and wasn’t paying attention. He said he needed to pull over to get gas which I immediately thought was strange so I looked up my location, saw I wasn’t in Virginia and bolted out of the car booking it 10 blocks or so until I saw a security guard parked outside an apartment building. We called the cops so I could file a report and thankfully made it home safely. I can’t remember what the car or the driver looked like so unfortunately he’ll get away with it. It could have ended a lot worse and I’m thankful I made it out okay but want to remind everyone, especially women at night, to check the license plate and ask your driver for your name.”