Rideshare Rodeo Podcast

#33 | Uber Eats & Postmates Can’t Touch DoorDash

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week DoorDash has filed IPO with the SEC, its initial price range is targeting $75-$85.   Uber has finally finished its purchase of Postmates, even with this acquisition DoorDash is still the leader in food delivery app space.   India has adopted Connecticut 989's model almost exactly.   I discuss what the pro's of 989 are for rideshare drivers and gig workers.   I also discuss Connecticut's play in rideshare legislation.    UberAir says it will have eVTOL's by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and ParaOlympics, is it me or do I smell, PR stunt?    Volvo AI.    December 8th, ALTO rides is launching a fleet in Los Angeles.    MASK UP Y'ALL!!!!!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#32 | Uber, Lyft Drivers vs. Anti-Mask Rants!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we wonder how Uber has hit its all time high on the DOW since its IPO, closing today again over $51.   The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced it has granted seven companies, Autonomous Vehicle Permits, Included in the list of companies is Aurora Innovation (*A.Innovation is the startup who is trying to buy Uber Autonomous).   Uber and Lyft was awarded a Federal contract worth $810 Million.   Washington state has placed a cap on how much app-based delivery services can charge customers.     Biden is still promising to use the California 'ABC test' on all I.C.'s nationwide, problem is Prop22 made this test NOT applicable to app-based gig workers.    October 2016: Uber announced its new project UBERair, 4 years later all we have seen is a couple helicopters, now Uber is promising eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) technology [a.k.a. P.R. Stunt].    5th Australian gig worker has died in just last two months, what is going on with this.    We all saw the video of David Kangogo, rideshare driver who had to kick two riders out for not wearing masks, followed by a racist rant by the passenger who would not put their mask on.    WEAR YOUR MASKS PEOPLE.    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#31 | Uber Autonomous Division Finished!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the state of the Autonomous Vehicle Space, and Uber is FINALLY selling off their Autonomous division.   Joe Biden is promising to make all gig workers, employees, and saying he will "establish a three prong ABC test" modeling California's, there are some problems with this statement though.   UberReserve, now you can reserve an Uber anywhere from 2 hours-30 days out, and you can choose your favorite drivers.   Look out Phoenix/Scottsdale, Cruise has teamed up with Walmart to put driverless deliveries in Scottsdale starting in January 2021.   UberEats is now delivering prescriptions in 3 Texas cities, this is the 3rd attempt at this, so if this doesn't work that will be strike three!   DoorDash has filed its IPO with the SEC to go public, so far this year DoorDash has taken in $1.9 Billion in revenue, that said they are still sitting at $149 Million net loss.   Lyft is trying to enter the app-based delivery game.   Gig companies (Postmates, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, GrubHub, and others) have teamed up with Stride to get gig workers health coverage through the ACA (Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare), enrollment is now through December 15th.   NYC: The Taxi and Limousine Commission is pushing legislation to get a "universal e-hail app", it would let you book taxi's as well as Uber/Lyft through the same app.   Cairo: Uber partners with Unilever to provide safety kits of masks and hand sanitizer to 30,000 drivers, and in-car separators to select few drivers, we'll have to see what this PR stunt is about.   Portland's City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty who oversees Portland's Emergency Dispatch System has been calling for "Defund The Police" from all angles, during a Lyft ride called 911 multiple times because the driver was following 'Lyft Coronavirus Safety Guidelines'.   Motional: the Aptiv-Hyundai $4 Billion venture aimed at commercializing autonomous vehicles is preparing to roll out full driverless vehicles on public roads in Las Vegas, today was approved by the state of Nevada.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#30 | Legal Rideshare Founder/CEO Bryant Greening

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:   This week we have Bryant Greening from Legal Rideshare (LegalRideshare.com) on the podcast to discuss issues ALL drivers and gig workers need to know about proper insurance, dash cams, 3 phases of working rideshare, grocery, and delivery, what to do if you are in an accident, injured, lost wages, and more...  Proposition 22 passed in California, meaning drivers can remain Independent Contractors, now we will see how it is enacted and will Uber live up to its promises regarding 120% minimum wage (while working, not while waiting) and Health Insurance stipends!   Uber you are on the line now to follow through on that portion.  
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#29 | California Gig Economy Future On The Line!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  We have finally reached decision day, as the nation votes for a new POTUS, California is voting on the fate of the Gig Economy!  AB5/AB2257/Proposition22 will finally have resolve.  This week San Diego loosened 11 Taxi regulations, hmmm... We are talking again about project "Families of the Fallen", driver referral money that will go to families of drivers effected by COVID19 and drivers who were attacked/killed while working the platforms.  Uber Eats/Cornershop enters the New York City market with grocery delivery.  In Europe, Uber is once again in the hot seat, this time over "robo-firing's".   The new "Whizz" app appears to be dead out of the gate!   NEXT WEEK... we have Legal Rideshare on the podcast to go over everything rideshare drivers NEED to know that Uber/Lyft never told you!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#28 | Dumpling Founder/CEO Joel Shapiro

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we have Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Joel Shapiro from Dumpling.   We discuss the perks of the Dumpling platform and its differences from platforms like Instacart.   Dumpling is an honest, full transparency, gig platform!   The Dumpling Story: A single, relentless question put us on the path that led to building dumpling: What can we do to help more people gain greater control, autonomy, and flexibility over the way they work?  When we set out to find an answer, we didn’t know we’d eventually be taking on the gig economy. But that’s where the question led - directly to the thousands of independent contractors who felt underpaid, exploited, and taken for granted by on-demand grocery delivery apps. We realized that the only thing standing between these workers and the ability to start their own personal shopping and delivery companies was access to the right technology. So we built it for them. Now instead of a relentless question, we have a clear mission: To make small business ownership available to anyone who wants it. We’re proud to build the tools that empower anyone to start, run, and grow their own local, service-based business. Thousands of small businesses across 50 states already use dumpling to serve their communities, providing a higher caliber of service to clients and keeping local dollars in local economies. And every single one of those small business owners has greater control, autonomy, and flexibility over the way they work today.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#27 | Pandemic Unemployment Assistance CLAWBACKS!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we talk Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Clawbacks!   States worked around Unemployment Insurance systems with PUA implemented systems.   These systems were NOT tested properly.    These systems were designed by different private sector companies.    These systems have been problematic in most states.   Now these systems are changing benefits and clawing back money from those who optimized them during the COVID19 pandemic.   Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said today that Uber is looking at options in case Proposition 22 fails in California on November 3rd, the front runner option is Uber will stop operating in California if they are forced to make drivers employees.    Uber's self-driving car killed a person two and a half years ago in Arizona, so why isn't Uber being charged?   A bigger question remains, why is the safety driver being charged without Uber representing her?   Uber is finally following the advise of our podcast and trying to get rid of Autonomous, VTOL (Vertical Take Off Landing) vehicles, Elevate, and other money pits it has thrown multi-millions of dollars at for years!    Next week we have Dumpling Co-founder/Co-CEO Joel Shapiro on the podcast to discuss the difference in their model compared to Instacart, allowing people to make their own business presence, and their venture into the rideshare game.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#26 | AB5 Destroyed Her Non-Profit w/Gail Gordon

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the situation in Phoenix, the Death Traps Are Back!  Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, is back on the road in Arizona, with driverless vehicles available to Waymo One Customers who sign air-tight non-disclosures!   I also interview Gail Gordon, who is the Founder/Owner/Producer/Director of a non-profit Opera Company in Los Angeles.  Her business has been shut down, not due to the pandemic, due to AB5!   Our interview should be listened to not only by rideshare drivers and gig platform workers, but by every Independent Contractor in California and the rest of the country.   As we have discussed before on the podcast, all eyes are on California AB5/AB2257 and Proposal 22's outcome.   I think Gail really brings to light major flaws with AB5, so whether for or against this new law, give our interview a listen... there is a lot to be digested!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#25 | Two Lyft Road Rage Shootings In 10 Days

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the two Lyft drivers who were shot in past 10 days, in both cases the shootings were done by drivers simply due to 'Road Rage'!   Uber Driver gets ping to take passengers from Bronx, NY to Vero Beach, FL, driver calls Uber to make sure taking this very long trip is okay, ...then, listen to the podcast for the answer.   After Uber was granted another 18 month stay allowing them to operate in London, some other news from the U.K. regarding rideshare made news:  Ola has been banned from London, Uber London begins "Fixed Pricing Model", Uber London is sharing all platform data with police.   Seattle becomes the 2nd city in the U.S. to pass a minimum pay rate for Uber and Lyft Drivers.   Lyft Pink Members (passengers) now get FREE delivery with all GrubHub orders, hmmm.   Uber providing free 'Food Trucks' on election day (November 3rd) at all voting locations in most big cities.  Allstate is now providing Rideshare and Gig workers "Commercial Auto Insurance" in 8 states to start.  Holding off on AB5 and California AB5 news until October 19th, since we have been discussing it a bit in recent weeks I figured I would hold off until the week before and after the election (unless there is some major news different from everything we know at this point).   Everyone get out and VOTE!   California voters, make sure you understand proposition 22 and vote on it!  Here is the official proposition 22 ballot measure, click the link and read the proposition as written, then vote... all states are watching to see how this plays out.  This will very much influence the future of gig workers and the platforms that provide them gigs!  See you next Tuesday on the Rideshare Rodeo Podcast!!!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#24 | Uber: A mis-information story

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss California Proposition 22 now being the biggest funded ballot measure in history!  Four big tech firms have raised more than $180 Million towards passing Proposition 22.  A Berkley Poll shows 39% are in favor of Prop22, and 36% are opposed, meaning 25% are undecided... or are they simply confused on this ballot measure?  Uber Grocery Space venture "Coronershop" teams up with Grocery Giant WinnDixie, all based on NO track record in this space.  "Lyft sketches future for city streets with few cars", wait... Lyft?   New report from "UpWork", a platform connects freelancers to jobs, found 24% more people entered the gig-economy this summer than in past years.  Same study showed freelancers/gig workers now make up 59 million in the U.S.   San Francisco woman who dislocated hip and broke multiple bones is suing Uber for their jump bikes, based on their lack of having turn indicators, which city streets require!   Uber full time drivers in California only handle 25% of California Rideshare rides.  The Uber PR stunt of requiring passenger masks from 4 weeks ago went into effect this week, but again there are problems with its implementation.  Uber final London appeal, Uber won its right to operate in London, ... crazy!   Uber Autonomous has literally thrown away $2.5 Billion in the Autonomous Space, clearly an industry that Uber should NOT be in!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com