Rideshare drivers at the Atlanta airport powered down their applications and left potential passengers in the lurch during one of the peak travel times of the holiday season, in a move to demand higher wages. Several dozen Uber and Lyft drivers coordinated a shut-off at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport starting at 4:00 p.m., according to FOX 5 Atlanta. They hoped to spotlight the disparity between what riders pay and what drivers take home, and the pressure was meant to mount during what they refer to as the peak travel hours.
"As long as we protest, passengers will continue to be stranded, and maybe that will make an impact," one driver told FOX 5. This sentiment comes on the heels of grievances where drivers see less than half of the fare paid by passengers, with some drivers claiming to receive less than 30% of the full amount. "I did a ride the other day, and she said she paid $102 for a 40-minute ride. I got $25, and that’s because I had a $5 bonus!" Lyft driver Debora Williams revealed in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Lyft highlighted its upfront pay, tips, and bonuses approach, ensuring drivers see the ride information and earnings before accepting a trip. "Last year, we introduced Upfront Pay in Georgia and across the country, which shows drivers ride information and what they'll earn before accepting a ride. We also provide drivers a weekly pay summary that shows a breakdown of their earnings and the total amount riders paid," a Lyft spokesperson said in a statement to Atlanta News First. Uber touted their $30 an-hour earnings when drivers actively engaged on the platform, providing riders with fare and destination information upfront.
The demonstration at the Atlanta airport attracted more drivers as the hours passed, but it did not seem to cause widespread disruption for passengers. "It was absolutely no problem tonight. We got a one in three minutes," passenger Olivia Alexander said in an interview with FOX 5 Atlanta.
