We Discuss Uber in This Months "You Should Know" Newsletter (Jan 2015)
With one tap of a smartphone app, Uber is upending the taxi business and changing the way people around the world commute. The meteoric rise of Uber, and other ridesharing services like Lyft and Sidecar, offer convenience and savings for riders while creating new work opportunities for drivers. But concerns about oversight, safety, pricing and worker rights have made 2014 a bumpy ride for Uber. You should know the risks of ridesharing and your rights (or lack thereof) as a passenger.
10 Billion: After just five years in business, Uber is expected to hit $10 billion in annual revenues by the end of 2015. Uber’s take is 20 percent after paying drivers, or an estimated $2 billion.
200 Cities: Uber is now available in more than 200 cities in 53 countries. But rapid growth has also fueled an anti-Uber backlash throughout the world.
“F” Rating: Uber recently received an “F” from the Better Business Bureau, stemming from 200 complaints in the past three years due to problems with billing and customer service.