Uber, Lyft Charges More For Riders Going To Chicago’s Non-White Neighborhoods, Study Shows

As a driver with about 6k rides under my belt, I choose not to screen rides based on where they are going (as is actually prescribed in both Lyft and Uber's terms, it specifically mentions not using the app features to avoid low income areas). A lot of drivers do screen these locations though. 

The reason for most drivers has nothing to do with color of the person's skin (not denying there are probably racist drivers out there) or even really that they aren't as affluent (although some drivers believe this plays a role in getting tips), it is just as likely to do with road conditions. 

In lower income areas of Phoenix for instance, the roads tend to be in worse shape and with more debris on them. This can be a hazard for your tires and therefore incur extra costs. Some of the entryways into and out of parking lots in these neighborhoods are not as smoothly designed and much rougher on the car, which can lead to damage on your front and rear bumpers. Then there is t…

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As a driver with about 6k rides under my belt, I choose not to screen rides based on where they are going (as is actually prescribed in both Lyft and Uber's terms, it specifically mentions not using the app features to avoid low income areas). A lot of drivers do screen these locations though. 

The reason for most drivers has nothing to do with color of the person's skin (not denying there are probably racist drivers out there) or even really that they aren't as affluent (although some drivers believe this plays a role in getting tips), it is just as likely to do with road conditions. 

In lower income areas of Phoenix for instance, the roads tend to be in worse shape and with more debris on them. This can be a hazard for your tires and therefore incur extra costs. Some of the entryways into and out of parking lots in these neighborhoods are not as smoothly designed and much rougher on the car, which can lead to damage on your front and rear bumpers. Then there is the feeling of safety factor. Just about everyone feels less safe in more run down neighborhoods, even many of the people that live there. 

I highly doubt that it is Lyft and Uber are deliberately raising the prices in lower income neighborhoods, drivers just have many motivations to not spend any more time in these neighborhoods than their rides that take them there make them do. Both companies prices have a factor of supply and demand. If there are less drivers and more riders in the area, they will hand out bonuses to the drivers to get them to go over there. I do not have their algorithm so I cannot say for sure, I expect supply and demand has more to do with it.

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