cab companies last I looked had to carry 1Million dollars in liability ins per cab. Dispatch logs can be used to verify income, tips excepted. Drivers are routinely randomly drug tested and FBI-background checked processed by the local PD. Their meters and vehicles are inspected once a year for accuracy/safety. How does that compare to uber/lyft?
I’ve also seen the complaint that the uber/lyft drivers want paid sick leave, vacation and medical. Although most work less than 20 hours a week and work for more than one vendor. I don’t see how that works out logistically for the companies. If a driver works 6 hours a week, how much sick leave or vacation time would they actually accrue, compared to say, office workers? Who pays the medical? If companies are supposed to provide that, and the drivers drive for 2 or 3 companies, how is that shared out?
I see the emotional arguments but not much red meat. So for me, I haven’t decided yes or no yet.
Cab companies Are restricted to 2,000 cabs in San Francisco. Cab companies must provide workman’s comp. Cab drivers can negotiate lower fares. Cabs are subjected to surprise third party inspections. Cabs don’t have to drive an assigned route. Cabbies who get complaints get a hearing not a summary license yank.
Cabbies have a much harder time pretending their illegal brother Mohammed is them driving. Or their sex offender friend or violent felon brother or unlicensed cousin. This is because of the required very clear signage and markings on cabs, the requirement that we check in for waybills when we drive in person, so if I hand off my cab to Abdul the scores of cabbies who know cab #300 can easily see hey that is not Persevero driving in there. Police check you waybills at traffic stops and of course dispatchers know if that’s not you.
Cabs are required to pick up disabled and animals. Cabs must have a certain number of wheelchair accessible vehicles. Cabs in sf must possess a $250,000 medallion.
I am an independent contractor and support independent contracting. But this is about way more than that.