California's gas prices push Uber and Lyft drivers off the road
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The highest gas prices in the country are making it tougher for some gig drivers to make a living.Gas prices have shot up amid the war in the Middle East.
On average, California gas prices are the most expensive in the United States, according to data from the American Automobile Assn.The average price of regular gas in California is almost $6.
The national average is a little above $4.While Uber and Lyft drivers have concocted clever ways to cut gas consumption, they say that without some relief they will be forced to leave the ride-hailing business.John Mejia was already struggling to make money as a part-time Lyft driver when soaring gas prices made his side hustle even harder.
“Unfortunately, it’s the economics of paying less to drivers and gas prices,” he said.“It actually is pulling people out of the business.” Gig work offers drivers the freedom to work for themselves and more flexibility, but being independent contractors also means they must shoulder unexpected costs.
Ride-sharing companies say they’re trying to help, but drivers say the gas relief comes with caveats.For now, drivers say they’re being pickier about what rides they accept, cutting hours and are looking at other ways to make money.
Mejia, who started driving for Lyft more than a decade ago, said in his early days, he would sometimes make $400 in three hours.Now it takes 12 hours to rake in $200.The San Francisco Bay Area consultant is an active member of the California Gig Workers Union, so he knows he isn’t alone.
California has more than 800,000 gig rideshare drivers, according to the group, which is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union.On social media sites such as Reddit and Facebook, gig workers have posted about how the higher gas prices are eating into their earnings.
Among the tricks they are suggesting: reducing the number of times the ignition is turned ...