Uber and Lyft discriminate against black and women riders

According to a new study, Uber and Lyft drivers are discriminating against black and women riders.

Nov 1, 2016

According to a new study, Uber and Lyft drivers are discriminating against black and women riders.

According to the two-year study by National Bureau of Economic Research, which analyzed 1500 rides in Seattle and Boston, black riders have to wait longer to be picked up than white riders, and sometimes, they are not picked up at all.

Black passengers in Seattle waited an average of 30 percent longer to be picked up, while black riders in Boston at times were not picked up at all if their names sounded black.

On the other hand, women have no problem getting a ride or being picked up, but often the drivers spend so much time talking to them that their rides take longer and cost more.

“This discrimination is cultural and is found everywhere we conducted the study,” said researcher Stephen Zoepf.

Uber officials responded to the findings by saying that they would take the allegations of discrimination seriously.

“Discrimination has no place in society and no place on Uber,”said Rachel Holt, Uber’s head of North American operations. “We believe Uber is helping reduce transportation inequities across the board, but studies like this one are helpful in thinking about how we can do even more.”