ride-hailing

The DOJ is suing Uber, alleging ADA violations due to systemic discrimination against riders with disabilities. The lawsuit claims Uber drivers routinely deny service to individuals with service animals or requiring wheelchairs, and impose unwarranted fees. The DOJ alleges discriminatory driver behavior includes refusals, inappropriate questioning and impermissible surcharges. Uber denies the allegations, citing its zero-tolerance policy and accessibility features. The DOJ argues Uber’s efforts are insufficient under the ADA. The lawsuit could have significant financial and operational consequences for Uber and impact the ride-hailing industry’s responsibility in ensuring equal access for users with disabilities.

Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service, partnering with Uber in Atlanta and Austin, while starting test drives in Denver and Seattle with safety drivers. These new locations complement Waymo’s existing commercial operations in major US cities. In some cities, Waymo can be hailed via Uber; elsewhere, the Waymo One app is required. The test fleet includes electric vehicles like the Jaguar I-Pace and Geely Zeekr AV. Waymo faces competition from Apollo Go and Tesla in the autonomous vehicle market.

Alibaba’s Amap is expanding its global footprint by launching ride-hailing services in Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the UAE, bringing its availability to 30 countries. Chinese users can access the service abroad without needing new SIM cards, using familiar payment platforms and the Chinese interface. Amap offers integrated travel services, including real-time translation and navigation, addressing pain points for international travelers by providing a streamlined, one-app experience.

Didi Chuxing is introducing a revamped driver support program to stabilize driver earnings. Key initiatives include lowering the maximum commission cap per ride to 27%, implementing “Commission Rebate Pro” for active drivers guaranteeing a 25% monthly cap, and reducing high-commission rides through subsidies and dispatch optimization. These changes aim to foster a more fair and sustainable ecosystem and improve income transparency via the Didi driver app. The program is being piloted in select cities before a nationwide rollout.

Baidu’s Apollo Go and Lyft are partnering to launch driverless taxi services in Europe, starting in Germany and the UK by 2026. The plan involves deploying thousands of Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles, leveraging Lyft’s operational expertise. This collaboration follows a similar alliance with Uber and aims to expand Apollo Go’s global reach, building on its existing fleet of over 1,000 autonomous vehicles operating in 15 cities. The goal is to provide safer, greener, and more efficient transportation options to European riders.

Didi Chuxing has launched “Four-Wheel Errand,” a luggage transfer service utilizing its private car fleet. Aimed at easing travel burdens, the service facilitates seamless luggage transportation, targeting vacationing families and business travelers. Didi is partnering with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), piloting the service at over 300 Holiday Inn Express hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities, with plans to expand to other IHG brands and transportation hubs. This move expands Didi’s service offerings and caters to the tourism sector’s needs, offering a “travel light” experience.

A potential ban on gasoline-powered vehicles for ride-hailing in Beijing, allegedly effective July 20th, has sparked significant reactions. News of the policy, attributed to the China Urban Public Transportation Association, caused EV drivers to rejoice while gasoline car drivers expressed concerns over vehicle depreciation and loans. The used car market reportedly saw a drop in prices for gasoline-powered ride-hailing vehicles.

A sophisticated scam targeting ride-hailing drivers is circulating in China, as exposed by an automotive influencer. The “cash-for-damage” scheme involves staged accidents where drivers are deliberately caused to collide with other vehicles. Victims are then later sued for lost income and vehicle downtime, costs not usually covered by insurance. Perpetrators exploit traffic laws and delayed lawsuits to maximize fraudulent claims, making the scam highly effective. Drivers are advised to avoid admitting fault and insist on footage review by traffic police.

The ride-hailing industry is facing new allegations of exploiting drivers through “shadow contracts.” A driver in Lhasa, China, reported a significant fare discrepancy, with passengers paying 45.1 yuan while the driver received only 39.68 yuan. This discrepancy, potentially due to complex commission structures and order shifting among sub-platforms, highlights concerns about fare transparency and driver earnings, echoing previous similar reports.