The issue here is that it really would not be in Uber's best interest to take all of the hit for this. This bullshit about "community" or whatever is a nice sugar coating for the whole issue, but it really has to do with legal jurisdiction and economics.
Uber drivers are not employees. They are independent contractors. They can be part of a limo company or they can be literally independent, and drive the car they own/lease around. That is what many drivers in Philadelphia do. So in that sense, Uber is pretty much a more expensive, clean, and medallion-free version of a taxicab.
This is precisely why it isn't Uber's fault at all for what happened, especially because the service wasn't used in any stage of this scenario. So in that sense, I think it's good that they are "standing their ground" and emphasizing how background they are in this whole operation.
Personally, I like that. I'm a big believer in supporting your local economy, and I like how my Uber fares are mostly going to the driver. But the other side of that coin, responsibility, is also being saddled on the Uber driver. I also like that. It means that it's up to the driver and I, not some bullshit startup 5,000 miles away, to set out the rules of the trip. It makes Uber a better company to contract from and it makes the whole trip feel more "homey" rather than some kind of "ride from above".
In my opinion, Uber's done a great job at fostering its community by staying the FUCK out of my business.
Uber drivers are not employees. They are independent contractors. They can be part of a limo company or they can be literally independent, and drive the car they own/lease around. That is what many drivers in Philadelphia do. So in that sense, Uber is pretty much a more expensive, clean, and medallion-free version of a taxicab.
This is precisely why it isn't Uber's fault at all for what happened, especially because the service wasn't used in any stage of this scenario. So in that sense, I think it's good that they are "standing their ground" and emphasizing how background they are in this whole operation.
Personally, I like that. I'm a big believer in supporting your local economy, and I like how my Uber fares are mostly going to the driver. But the other side of that coin, responsibility, is also being saddled on the Uber driver. I also like that. It means that it's up to the driver and I, not some bullshit startup 5,000 miles away, to set out the rules of the trip. It makes Uber a better company to contract from and it makes the whole trip feel more "homey" rather than some kind of "ride from above".
In my opinion, Uber's done a great job at fostering its community by staying the FUCK out of my business.