WEST PALM BEACH, Fla .– Uber and Lyft runners in West Palm Beach have noticed some changes – from higher prices to longer wait times.
âWe used to go down to Clematis Street, probably $ 13 a pop, like each way, and now it’s in the 20s, 30s sometimes late at night and it pushes us. Do you really want to take an Uber? ” Said Kyle McQuillian.
Uber user Kassidy Turner shared the same frustrations.
âI had been in a car accident so I was Uber everywhere,â Turner said. “It made me late for work, everything, so it was pretty boring.”
The reason is that the two ridesharing companies are struggling with a shortage of drivers and an increase in demand.
Now, with fewer restrictions and more access to COVID-19 vaccines, there is a strong desire to get out there and enjoy a night on the town.
That’s why both companies are now relying on incentives to help reverse this new trend.
Bob Calamia started driving for Uber and Lyft a year and a half ago.
âThere just aren’t enough people interested in doing this job,â he said.
He added that the two companies also compete with unemployment benefits and food delivery companies.
âThey make more money staying home with unemployment and then they go out and drive by the sea,â Calamia said. “Most of these guys had full-time or part-time jobs.”
Uber spokesman Javi Correoso said the company is rolling out a $ 250 million stimulus package aimed at offering higher pay to drivers.
“Drivers who drove an average of 20 hours per week on the Uber platform now earn an average of $ 31 per hour for drivers who average 20 hours per week,” Correoso said. “Before the incentive program, those numbers were closer to $ 24 to $ 25.”
Lyft responded with the following statement:
âWe are seeing a surge in demand for rides, as vaccines are rolled out and people prepare to start moving again. We strive to meet demand, including providing incentives for drivers, who are busier and earn more than before. the pandemic. “
While both companies are working to reduce the shortage, passengers can still take advantage of the route planning feature to address reliability issues and minimize wait times.
To learn how to plan a trip, watch the tutorial below:
How to plan a trip on Uber
For more information on driving for Uber, click here. For more information on driving for Lyft, click here.