Rideshare Reboot: How the Rideshare Industry is Adapting Amid the 'New Social'
CHICAGO, July 8, 2020 (Newswire.com) - With American businesses returning, and social distancing protocols loosening across the country, riders and drivers are gradually returning to popular ridesharing platforms such as Uber and Lyft. However, the industry’s return has not come without a major adjustment period, according to LegalRideshare, the first law firm to focus exclusively on Uber®, Lyft®, and gig economy accidents and injury claims. With the two major players in the space issuing mandatory safety guidelines and allocating millions of dollars toward supplying drivers with essential equipment, the ridesharing industry is looking to bounce back this summer with revamped operating procedures in place.
Both Uber and Lyft have made announcements detailing their new COVID-19 safety policies, which require riders, drivers, and essential delivery drivers to wear face masks, respect social distancing measures while in-vehicle, and keep windows open when possible to avoid stagnant airflow. Additionally, riders and drivers have been instructed to use sanitizers and disinfectants on their hands, inside of their vehicles, and on any food delivery equipment in their possession (if applicable).
The LegalRideshare team has been advocating these changes as the ridesharing community begins to navigate this unprecedented time. These precautions are the best-known ways for users of Uber and Lyft to protect themselves and others as they adapt to the “new normal.” Face masks have been proven to limit the spread of infectious droplets into the air, and consistent sanitization and the avoidance of touching one’s face greatly reduces the risk of the contact transmission of COVID-19. Adhering to social distance policies by riding in the backseat with a partition between the rider and the driver has also shown to combat the risks associated with shared-air spaces.
For attorney Bryant Greening, a co-founder of LegalRideshare, the implementation of these changes is a testament to the ridesharing community’s resilient nature.
“Rideshare companies were deemed essential businesses during the pandemic,” said Greening. “Drivers were thrust into the uncharted territory of rigorous public health precautions without any warning. So far, the majority of riders and drivers have adapted quickly and efficiently, which will be extremely important moving forward.”
LegalRideshare found that rideshare volume declined by 70-90% when the pandemic spiked in the United States during early March. The landscape has shifted positively since then, as drivers have gone from completing one or two rides per day to about 20 per day, on average. The data suggests that this increase in demand likely has a direct correlation to the state-by-state reopenings of the American economy over the past few weeks.
Greening emphasized the important role that these public health precautions will play as the industry looks to rebound from the lackluster spring season.
“Drivers must be hyper-focused on COVID precautions and hyper-focused on driving, simultaneously,” stated Greening. “And they still must maintain their normal level of customer service. It is a lot of pressure, without a doubt. But these are the steps that the ridesharing community as a whole will need to take in order to guarantee the safety and viability of the ridesharing business model.”
About LegalRideshare
LegalRideshare is the first law firm in the United States to focus exclusively on Uber®, Lyft®, and gig economy accidents and injuries.
Since its inception, LegalRideshare has grown into a national brand. Its lawyers are the go-to source on rideshare-related issues, serving hundreds of clients, and securing millions of dollars for injured drivers and passengers. For more information or a free consultation, visit www.legalrideshare.com/contact.html.
Follow LegalRideshare on Twitter and Facebook.
Source: LegalRideshare
