Rideshare Archives

Uber sues DoorDash for anticompetitive practices in delivery business

February 15, 2025

Uber sued its competitor DoorDash on Friday, Feb. 14. The suit says DoorDash coerced restaurants to go with them over competitors.
Uber claims DoorDash’s business practices cost it millions.
DoorDash controls 63% of the delivery market, while Uber holds a 25% market share.

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Uber filed a lawsuit against DoorDash Friday, Feb. 14, accusing its competitor of anticompetitive practices. Uber claims DoorDash pushes restaurants into using the company as their exclusive delivery partner.

“DoorDash’s underhanded tactics have cost Uber millions of dollars in revenue and unlawfully restricted its ability to grow Uber Direct, the Uber Eats platform for first-party delivery,” the ride-share giant said in its lawsuit, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

DoorDash denied any wrongdoing in their business.

“Uber’s case has no merit. Their claims are unfounded and based on their inability to offer merchants, consumers, or couriers a quality alternative,” DoorDash said in a statement to Reuters and the Journal.

Uber and DoorDash both offer app-based food delivery services. Consumers can browse and order food directly from the app and have it delivered to their door. In some cases, the companies also handle delivery orders directly through the restaurants’ website.

Restaurants pay the service commissions for advertising and delivery. DoorDash controls 63% of the market, while Uber holds 25%, according to Earnest Analytics.

“DoorDash’s coercive tactics reduce restaurant-customer and consumer choice, resulting in higher prices, lower-quality service, and decreased innovation,” Uber said in its lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks a court order for DoorDash to change the way it operates its business. Uber could also be entitled to damages.

The company’s suit lays out a situation where DoorDash threatened to raise a restaurant’s commission rates by 30% per order if it partnered with its competitor. Uber claims it lost millions of dollars in business due to the practice.

Plus-sized rapper sues Lyft after being denied ride due to weight

January 29, 2025

A plus-sized rapper is suing Lyft after a driver allegedly refused to pick her up because of her size. Dajua Blanding, who performs under the stage name Dank Demoss, is suing both the rideshare company and the driver after her ride was canceled on Jan. 18.

Video shows exchange between driver and rider

Blanding shared a video of the incident on Instagram. In the clip, she confronts the driver, listed as “John Doe” in the lawsuit.

The driver, operating a Mercedes-Benz, stated he had experienced a similar situation. He also expressed concern about the car’s tires being unable to support her weight.

“I can fit in this car,” Blanding said in the video.

“Believe me, you can’t,” the driver responded.

The driver later apologized and offered to refund the ride. In an interview with TMZ, Blanding expressed her frustration.

“I feel like us as bigger people, we’re not accommodated,” she said. “He didn’t even try. As soon as he looked at me… he dismissed me.”

Reactions to the lawsuit have been mixed, with some defending the driver’s decision.

One Instagram user wrote, “This man is protecting his car. If I was her driver, I probably would’ve said the same thing.”

Another commenter, who identified as a rideshare driver, suggested that plus-sized riders should consider larger vehicles.

“As someone who drives for Uber and Lyft, you should definitely be ordering XL rides since they are bigger cars that can handle more weight,” the commenter wrote. “Tiny cars aren’t made for so much weight in one space… we still gotta live in reality that we won’t fit in every seat.”

Lyft responds to lawsuit

Lyft’s anti-discrimination policies cover several protected categories, including race, national origin and medical conditions.

In a statement to NBC News, the company emphasized its stance on discrimination.

“We unequivocally condemn all forms of discrimination. We believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”

Blanding is reportedly suing Lyft for violating Michigan civil rights laws, citing discrimination based on weight.

Uber wins case based on terms and conditions agreement over 2022 crash

October 3, 2024

In what may serve as another reminder to read the fine print, a court blocked a New Jersey couple from suing Uber after a crash left them with broken bones and hefty medical bills. The cases dismissal reported by several outlets on Wednesday, Oct. 2, is because the couple accepted the terms and conditions from the rideshare app before taking the ride, which requires any complaint to be handled outside of court.

The pair tried to take Uber to court for a jury trial after their Uber driver ran a red light and got hit by another car in 2022, but an appeals court judge sided with the rideshare giant instead.

The couple contended that it was their underaged daughter who clicked the most recent agreement with Uber Eats in 2022 while ordering a pizza. For that reason, the couple believes the case should move forward.

However, Uber argued back that it wasn’t their daughter who signed agreements in 2015 and 2021, both of which waived the couple’s right to a court trial with arbitration clauses. It also didn’t reportedly help the couple’s case that they couldn’t “surmise” whether or not their daughter actually clicked the button to agree to the terms.

The husband reacted to the judge’s ruling by saying that they are “heartbroken,” but said that they expect to attempt to bring their case to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

The lawsuit that was tossed by the appellate demanded that Uber pay for physical, emotional and financial damages the crash caused the couple.

It’s not the first time that this has happened, in fact, it happened earlier this year. In August, Disney used a similar defense, but later reversed course, on a dispute over terms of service in a wrongful death suit.

The case was brought against the entertainment company by a man whose wife died after an allergic reaction at a Disney resort restaurant.

Disney tried to have the lawsuit tossed because the plaintiff signed up for a Disney+ trial years earlier. However, after backlash, Disney said that the case can now move forward in court.

Uber Safari launching this week as company promotes conservation

September 30, 2024

Uber announced on Monday, Sept. 30, that it is getting into the safari business. The rideshare company said that it’s allowing customers in Cape Town, South Africa, to hail its services starting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a wildlife adventure.

Here how it works, Uber customers will be able to open the rideshare app and select “Uber Safari” on the home screen. Customers will then have to choose their date, pick-up and drop-off locations, and then wait to see if their trip is confirmed. Once confirmed, they’ll be swept away and have the chance to see lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and more.

Uber said that every booking will “help protect endangered species and ensure the preservation of South Africa’s rich biodiversity.”

Reservations will open on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and be bookable for 90 days. Customers will need to give 24 hours advance notice before booking their safari and the experience is a flat fee of $200 for up to four guests. The service is only available on Fridays and Saturdays.

This isn’t the first attempt by Uber to branch out its services. Earlier this year, Uber offered luxurious “champagne-fueled trips” in France and last year it launched hot air balloon rides in Turkey.

Uber, Waymo unleashing fleet of self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Austin next year

September 13, 2024

Uber and Waymo announced the expansion of their partnership on Friday, Sept. 13, which will involve the release of a fleet of robotaxis in Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin, Texas, by early 2025. Riders will be able to get the autonomous taxis only through the Uber app, according to the press release.

The vehicles used for the service will be the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles that the companies say will “grow to hundreds over time.” However, the exact number of vehicles that will be on the streets of Austin and Atlanta has not yet been revealed.

The two companies called the relationship “mutually beneficial.” They said Uber will handle fleet management like repairing and cleaning the cars, while Waymo will oversee testing and operation of “Waymo Driver,” as well as handling roadside assistance and rider support. The two companies did not share how they would split profits.

The companies have not always been friendly with each other. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber over allegedly stealing its trade secrets and patent infringement. Waymo said Uber used its technology in Uber’s subsidiary self-driving truck known as Otto. The two companies eventually reached a settlement.

Waymo previously planned to partner with Lyft for robotaxis in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic took that plan out of commission. Uber was also developing its own fleet of autonomous taxis to reportedly replace all human drivers years ago. However, that effort ended in 2017 after an Uber vehicle struck and killed a woman. A federal investigation found that Uber was partly responsible for the incident.

Uber and Lyft are joining NYC’s once exclusive club of screen advertising

August 16, 2024

Advertisements are iconic to New York City. Now, they are soon to be played in Uber and Lyft vehicles throughout the Big Apple after a new law was finalized on Friday, Aug. 16. The New York City Council passed a law in December 2023 that allows Uber and Lyft drivers to install screens filled with advertisements in their vehicles, just like what riders see in the city’s yellow taxi cabs currently.

The new rule requires that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) allow Uber and Lyft drivers to install the tablets that have been exclusive fixtures in yellow cabs for years. The law also requires that drivers receive 25% of the revenue of any ad played in their vehicle.

Most Uber and Lyft drivers interviewed were reportedly in favor of the changes, saying that it will boost their income. Some drivers’ wallets have taken a hit in recent months after Uber and Lyft apps started kicking them off to comply with city-mandated limits on how long they can drive around without a passenger.

Some employees even said that they would like two tablets in their vehicles if possible.

The TLC is currently finalizing the rules on when and how the screens can be installed. Right now, the new tablets would not allow riders to tip their drivers through the screen. The lack of tipping ability has drawn some critics. It prompted a TLC spokesperson to disclose that the company is currently working on a way to tip drivers without having to add credit card readers in an employee’s car. Currently, riders can tip through the mobile app for both rideshare companies.

Uber partners with Chinese EV maker BYD to help its drivers make the switch

August 1, 2024

Uber has announced a new multiyear partnership with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD, with an aim of getting a larger number of the rideshare app’s drivers in EVs and eventually also making rides more affordable for passengers. The deal includes lower prices and financing options for Uber drivers looking to get a BYD car, with some models retailing for under $10,000 in China.

“While Uber drivers are going electric five times faster than private car owners, driver surveys show the price of EVs and availability of financing remain the key barriers to switching,” Uber said in a statement. “In addition to their affordability, BYD vehicles have lower costs of maintenance and repair, and are well suited to rideshare due to the wide range of models, superior battery performance and excellent build quality.”

This plan between the two companies will initially be implemented with 100,000 BYD EVs making their way to Uber drivers in Europe and Latin America. While U.S. drivers will not benefit due to American tariffs on Chinese EVs, the partnership is expected to expand to other regions, including the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Uber drivers in participating areas may access discounts on charging, maintenance, insurance and leasing offers for their EVs.

“Uber and BYD share a commitment to innovate towards a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together towards that future,” Chuanfu Wang, chairman and president of BYD, said.

The two companies also plan to collaborate further on autonomous driving technology, with BYD working on self-driving vehicles for future use on the Uber app. The ride-hailing company’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said last year that self-driving vehicles could eventually make up a fifth of Uber’s offerings, potentially saving users money in the process.

This partnership follows Uber’s previous EV efforts, working with rental car company Hertz to make 50,000 Teslas available for its drivers, and also offering them incentives of up to $2,000 if they switch to a Tesla. These initiatives are part of Uber’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions in the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2030, and globally by 2040.

Uber sues DoorDash for anticompetitive practices in delivery business

Full Story

Plus-sized rapper sues Lyft after being denied ride due to weight

Video shows exchange between driver and rider

Lyft responds to lawsuit

Uber wins case based on terms and conditions agreement over 2022 crash

Uber Safari launching this week as company promotes conservation

Uber, Waymo unleashing fleet of self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Austin next year

Uber and Lyft are joining NYC’s once exclusive club of screen advertising

Uber partners with Chinese EV maker BYD to help its drivers make the switch

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Uber sues DoorDash for anticompetitive practices in delivery business

Full Story

Plus-sized rapper sues Lyft after being denied ride due to weight

Video shows exchange between driver and rider

Social media reacts

Lyft responds to lawsuit

Uber wins case based on terms and conditions agreement over 2022 crash

Uber Safari launching this week as company promotes conservation

Uber, Waymo unleashing fleet of self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Austin next year

Uber and Lyft are joining NYC’s once exclusive club of screen advertising

Uber partners with Chinese EV maker BYD to help its drivers make the switch