Category: Transportation
Posted inArtificial Intelligence, Economy & Business, Labor, News, Technology, Transportation

Drivers Protest Uber’s ‘Black Box’ Fare System

Avatar photo by Jason Winshell

Uber’s use of secretive fare pricing algorithms driven by artificial intelligence lowers drivers’ wages, causes them confusion and uncertainty, and could undermine public safety — all while boosting company profits to record levels. 

That’s the conclusion of a new report surveying more than 2,500 Uber drivers and the message sounded by dozens who protested July 1 outside the company’s San Francisco headquarters. 

Drivers say the company’s opaque fare-pricing algorithms have been hurting their income and wellbeing. The protesters’ signs echoed conclusions from the report by PowerSwitch Action and Gig Workers Rising, grassroots organizations representing workers and labor interests.

Posted inCalifornia, Economy & Business, Public Safety, Transportation

Uber Submitted False Information to Regulators, Used Substandard Limousines, Agency Rules

Avatar photo by Seth Rosenfeld

Uber must pay a $50,000 fine for submitting false information to state regulators about numerous substandard rides it provided on its Uber Black luxury limousine service, violating a fundamental rule that officials said caused “harm to the regulatory process.”

In the previously unreported final decision, the California Public Utilities Commission found that San Francisco-based Uber had lax review procedures and failed to detect obviously falsified limousine licenses presented to it by independent limousine companies that Uber had subcontracted to give rides on Uber Black.

Posted inElections, Government & Politics, Neighborhoods, Transportation

It’s Not Just the Great Highway. Some Chinese American Voters Have Felt Unheard for Decades 

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

Many local officials and media outlets have portrayed Proposition K’s opponents as anti-park and pro-freeway without explaining why or acknowledging the pain that informed some of their positions. Through extensive interviews, the San Francisco Public Press found that many, especially older Chinese American residents, have felt dismissed and sidelined in discussions about transportation and land-use policy for decades.

Posted inCommunity, Elections, Government & Politics, Parks & Open Space, Transportation

State Commission Gives Green Light to Close SF’s Great Highway to Cars

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

San Francisco on Thursday received state approval to proceed with closing a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to car traffic as early as spring 2025, and to begin planning a long-term park on that stretch of road. The car-free highway will have separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, along with a new continuous bike lane connecting Daly City to Golden Gate Park.

Posted inCommunity, Elections, Government & Politics, Transportation

Attempt to Recall SF Supervisor Engardio Faces Uphill Battle

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

An effort is under way to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio for supporting the closure of a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to cars. Anti-incumbent sentiment persists in San Francisco, but wealthy donors are unlikely to support a recall and would probably back the supervisor financially should he face voters in a special election.

Posted inCalifornia, Transportation, Utilities

Proposed Ruling on Substandard Uber Luxury Rides Would Threaten Public Safety, Appeal Says

Avatar photo by Seth Rosenfeld

Safety officials at the California Public Utilities Commission thought they had a powerful case against Uber for endangering the public.

In 2019 they discovered that Uber had allowed luxury limousine companies to provide hundreds of thousands of rides for Uber Black, its premium car service, even though these firms had given Uber blatantly false documents or employed drivers not fully insured or enrolled in mandatory drug testing and driving record reviews, the officials later alleged in a legal brief.

As their investigation continued, the safety officials learned that in almost two dozen cases, drivers for these unauthorized subcarriers had allegedly assaulted passengers or engaged in other misconduct, they said in the brief, some of which could have been prevented had Uber properly vetted the limousine firms.

Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Elections, Parks & Open Space, Transportation

What Binds People to Great Highway, and Divides Them on Proposition K

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

For the latest episode of our podcast “Civic,” we interview multiple people about their relationships with the Great Highway and how those connections affect their feelings about Proposition K.

The local ballot measure would close a 2-mile stretch of the coastal road to cars, and put it on track to becoming a new park.

Posted inElections, Neighborhoods, Transportation

Analysis: What Would Really Happen to Traffic if SF’s Great Highway Closed?

Avatar photo by Zhe Wu

Perhaps no local issue in this election is more contentious than Proposition K, which would close the Upper Great Highway to cars and move it closer to becoming a park.

Supporters and opponents have sparred over how the measure’s passage would affect traffic in San Francisco. To find out what’s true, we examined multiple studies, and spoke with their authors and experts not affiliated with the city.

Posted inCity Hall, Elections, San Francisco November 2024 Voter Guide, Transportation

Proposition L — Tax Ride-Hailing and Autonomous Vehicle Companies to Fund Public Transit

Avatar photo by Audrey Mei Yi Brown

See our November 2024 SF Voter Guide for a nonpartisan analysis of measures on the San Francisco ballot, for the election occurring Nov. 5, 2024. The following measure is on that ballot. Proposition L would tax ride-hail companies, including those that operate self-driving cars, and devote the tax revenue to improving San Francisco’s public transit. Listen to a […]

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