As far as I understand one of the problems is that the drivers' market is so saturated that both Uber and Lyft can act as if they where monopolies (or maybe monopsonies). They can technically move to a competitor but that applies no pressure on the market.
Again, what makes this situation tricky is that it is essentially creating a new kind of employement-like relationship that current laws and regulation do not really account for.
So: "moving to a competitor definitely applies pressure" -> true; "keep both companies in check" -> false
You are thinking too much about just workers, when actually the smalelst divisible unit is hours. There is portion of drivers that barely ever switch, and then there is another portion that are constantly looking for the better deal, switching through outh the day. Its a scale.
So to keep drivers happy and on your paltform, you need to implement bonus schemes or have certain base pays.
Im not sure why so many people feel that they can comment on how the ridehailing platforms work without having any real experience in driving for them or working for them.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employe...
- drive on their own schedule - drive for competing ride share services (concurrently even) - drive for themselves - not drive at all
Seems very independent contractor. Uber/Lyft created a marketplace; drivers are agreeing to drive within the constraints of that marketplace. They can also create their own customer relationships and ride share marketplace if they choose.
If Uber/Lyft imposed restrictions on things like who a driver could give rides to or restricted concurrent ride share engagements, then that starts to feel like an employee. Rates have very little to do with it, in my humble opinion.