Possible Uber, Lyft Departure ‘Could Hurt A Lot of People’

If rideshares make good on their threats to pull out of Minneapolis and the Twin Cities region, the consequences could reach far into the suburbs.

Both drivers and riders that spoke with CCX News said they were feeling uneasy about the prospect of a rideshare-free region. 

Lyft driver Travis Joseph told CCX News that, while he’s a Minneapolis resident, he transports riders through the urban and suburban sprawl.

“I enjoy the job — it’s an easy, flexible job,” he said. “I take anybody. That’s how you make the money, you know? You take as many rides as you can.”

He’s given approximately 10,500 rides through Lyft, but he said he’s also eligible as an Uber driver.

His rideshare work is a side-gig. 

But, he’s concerned that his extra work could come to an abrupt, if uncinematic ending this spring.

Both Uber and Lyft say they’re planning to leave after the Minneapolis City Council approved a minimum wage hike for drivers.

“I could see how this could hurt a lot of people,” Joseph said. “And honestly, I want to keep that money coming because it does help me survive. It helps me pay my bills.”

If rideshares make good on their threats to pull out of Minneapolis and the Twin Cities region, the consequences could reach far into the suburbs.

Riders Without Reliable Transportation

But it’s not just drivers that are anxious. 

Mary Casey, a Golden Valley resident, relies on rideshares and Metro Mobility for transportation.

“When you’re only 55, you know, it’s kind of hard,” she said. “I’ve been very grateful with Uber and Lyft.”

She has severe vertigo after a car accident and isn’t medically cleared to drive. While she said she’s grateful to have Metro Mobility as a resource, they need prior notice before a pickup. 

Likewise, she said she’s had bad experiences in taxi cabs, and feels less safe in a cab than a rideshare.

“If I want to go meet friends for dinner or for drinks — or go shopping — or you know, just get out of here, I have [Uber and Lyft],” Casey said. 

Without that quick access to transportation, Casey feels like she’ll be losing her autonomy. 

“When you lose your independence, it’s a hard thing to adjust to,” she said. “To that it might be going away, there goes that independence again.”

Casey called on lawmakers to keep rideshares in town.

“I hope that there’s every resource possible to get Uber and Lyft to stay,” she said. 

Joseph concurred. 

“Act now,” he said, addressing lawmakers. “Put a bill together, get it passed. Stop city councils. City councils should not be able to control a whole metro area or state.”

Golden Valley | Twin Cities