On Wednesday, drivers from Uber and Lyft protested in downtown Seattle, urging the companies to halt the influx of new drivers in what they describe as a "flooded" market. This demonstration coincided with a report highlighting the significant increase in "empty miles" driven by rideshare operators, where trips are made without passengers, contributing to elevated traffic congestion and air pollution.
The report indicates that the ratio of empty miles per passenger trip has risen steadily over the past three years. It also reveals that the growth rate of rideshare drivers is nearly seven times that of trip demand. During the protest, drivers congregated outside Uber’s engineering offices on 2nd Avenue and Seneca Street, vocalizing their concerns through megaphones.
Takele Gobena, president of the Drivers Union, emphasized the findings of the report, stating that they reflect daily realities of a crowded market leading to diminished earnings. In response, Uber claimed the report is based on a limited and unrepresentative sample of drivers. The company pointed out that driver pay regulations in Seattle have resulted in a 40% increase in rider fares, asserting that this has led to a decline in trip demand and inconsistent earnings for drivers.