Lyft's opposition to proposed safety measures for NYC drivers leads to claims of misleading information spread by the company
The New York City Council is considering a bill that aims to limit how e-hail apps, such as Uber and Lyft, can remove drivers from their platforms. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, requires due process for drivers accused of wrongdoing before they're kicked off the apps.
In a statement, Krishnan stated that the bill would still allow companies like Lyft to boot dangerous drivers or people accused of crimes on the job. However, he accused Lyft of spreading false information about the legislation and fearmongering, claiming that the bill's language is not vague and would allow for swift deactivations in cases of egregious misconduct.
Lyft, in response, has stated that the bill's language is too vague to allow the company to swiftly deactivate drivers accused of wrongdoing. A spokesperson for Lyft, whose name was not provided, stated that instead of forcing a flawed, vague proposal, they should work together on a solution that builds on what's already working and ensures the safety of riders, drivers, and the public alike.
Under the proposed legislation, companies would be required to give drivers two weeks' notice before deactivating their accounts, unless they're accused of egregious misconduct. The bill would also require the companies to provide due process for drivers before they're barred from the apps, which would include a panel of arbitrators made up of both driver-side and company-side representatives.
The National Federation of the Blind sent a letter to the City Council last month urging lawmakers to amend the bill, including adding a more specific definition of "egregious misconduct" by drivers. This comes after drivers have accused Uber and Lyft of temporarily kicking them off the platforms as a way to skirt the city's minimum wage requirements.
Lyft has a partnership with the Independent Drivers Guild to help guide member-drivers through the deactivations appeals process and offer the opportunity for third-party arbitration. The city Taxi and Limousine Commission in June passed rules addressing that problem, which now requires the apps to give 72 hours' notice before temporarily locking a driver out of their account.
Following the ruling, Uber and Lyft were accused of a "lockout" pattern where they temporarily booted drivers from their apps without notice to skirt fully paying drivers. A New York state judge dismissed Lyft's lawsuit, solidifying the pay requirements.
New York Taxi Workers Alliance Executive Director Bhairavi Desai accused Lyft of attempting to pit drivers against one another, stating that Lyft's opposition is because they don't want to have to spend a dime on drivers. Lyft claimed in an email to New York City users that the legislation would force it to keep drivers on the road who are accused of "sexual harassment, reckless driving or other offenses."
Despite the ongoing debate, the bill is a step towards ensuring fair treatment for drivers and maintaining the safety of the city's transportation network. The New York City Council is expected to vote on the bill in the coming weeks.
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