This would also work to penalize drivers who are assigned a fare after dropping someone off in a bad neighborhood, and want to just GTFO without picking up the return fare.
As mentioned, surge pricing should also help. Basically: Folks in less desirable neighborhoods may end up paying surge pricing more often (when being picked up at least). Of course, surge pricing is illegal for cabs in the name of "fairness". But if all fares cost the same amount, why risk it in a sketchier neighborhood?
Does Uber assign fares to specific drivers? And do they offer/assign fares in locations far from the driver? Otherwise drivers waiting in wealthy areas won't be offered/assigned fares in poor areas.
> This would also work to penalize drivers who are assigned a fare after dropping someone off in a bad neighborhood, and want to just GTFO without picking up the return fare.
I imagine they could logout or simply decline the few fares required to GTFO
Anyway, that's all theoretical. The answer only will come from some actual data.
I don't see why Uber drivers, who often are or were cab drivers and which is less regulated, would discriminate any less. Does Uber require drivers to pickup specific fares (i.e., do they assign a driver to a fare in a poor neighborhood?). If they assign drivers to nearby fares, which seems necessary in order to pickup customers promptly, the drivers can just cruise wealthier areas.
"User testimonials" can't bear out anything; it's not data, especially from a company with such a massive lobbying and marketing operation.
[1] Note that this quote is another article, quoted by the this author