Limousine Finder: Easy New Year’s Prediction: Uber To Cause More Drama In 2016

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Easy New Year’s Prediction: Uber To Cause More Drama In 2016

UBER READY TO BLAZE INTO NEW YEAR: For a company that over the past year has been shifting paradigms like there was no tomorrow, Uber in the new year promises more of the same fireworks that the San Francisco-based gig-economy icon has been shooting off since it first launched in the Spring of 2009. Just Google-news the ride-sharing startup and you’ll see headlines like these. SiliconBeat.com article here

SIDECAR TO SHUT DOWN DEC. 31: Sidecar Technologies Inc., the third-biggest U.S. car-hailing service, said it will end its ride and delivery operations as the company is squeezed out by better-known competitors Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. Bloomberg Businessweek article here

UBER TO DEEPEN REACH INTO TRAVEL MARKET: Uber isn’t only about booking cars. It looks like it’s thinking of becoming a travel agent. On December 24, Uber secured a new patent that could be used to plan trips. Business Insider article here

FEDS PROBE UBER DATA BREACH: The Department of Justice is probing a data breach at Uber that an internal investigation reportedly linked to an employee at rival service Lyft. The Hill article here

UBER JUDGE MAY DELAY CLASS ACTION DECISION: Uber has won a ruling that may put off the outcome of a bid by California drivers to be treated as employees in a lawsuit that has grown dramatically in both size and potential liability. SFGate.com article here

LYFT BECOMES FIRST TNC TO PICK-UP AT LAX: Earlier this year, Los Angeles officials agreed to allow Lyft and its larger rival, Uber, to apply for permits to work at LAX. Lyft completed its negotiations first, gaining a head start in the potentially lucrative airport market. Los Angeles Times article here

VIRGINIA AIRPORT DISPUTE WITH TNCs HIGHLIGHTS FAIRNESS ISSUE: Norfolk International Airport officials are addressing an ongoing dispute over fees between the authority and Uber, after state officials told them to resolve the issue before the New Year. WAVY-TV 10 article and video here

JOLLY TROLLEY TO MEET NEW YEAR ON-DEMAND: Looking to avoid paying pesky surge pricing this New Year’s Eve? Uber riders in Boston and Cambridge have another option this Thursday night, when with the tap of a finger, they’ll be able to summon an on-demand trolley car with room for 18 people. Boston Globe tidbit here