How Uber Is Still Fighting to Save Reputation by Jonah Engler
Uber is a transportation group that connects those in need of a ride with the drivers employed to offer quality service. The five-year-old operation has garnered nearly $2.7 billion as on hand cash with investors incorporating over $40 billion to the pool. There is even discussion that an Initial Public Offering is underway for the transportation company as it expands at a fast rate. The future structure of this group could possibly venture into delivery services that include grocers and restaurants within a few years to come.
With the objective of bringing people and their city closer, Uber has expanded to a notable and global presence with over 200 cities being serviced by a cool app making it easier for commuters to hitch a ride to their expected destinations. The app offer users a variety of price points with a guarantee that great service is maintained for any options that a user commits to. That experience established with this service allows those with the app to simply push a button to find a driver. Customs can also track the driver’s progress while en-route to pick them up.
Today, the Uber group faces a challenge from their drivers who feel scrutinized that Uber seeks to solidify more “industry-leading standards” with background checks that are more thorough than common taxi operations. Uber’s stringency comes as a response to being banned in New Delhi after accusations that a driver sexually assaulted a customer. I, for one, appreciate Uber’s PR crisis because of this, especially when considering that the driver is stated to have not been properly examined by the transportation group, Uber, at the time of the incident.
Among those involved in the issue is a Colorado state representative who is critical of rider safety above all else. That state Rep., Max Tyler, asserts that background checks or fingerprints were not initially required, like they are within usual, taxi companies. As a result of these developing obstacles, Uber has initiated over two million checks on its drivers for the year of 2014, and there doesn’t seem to be any leeway given by the company who is adamant about keeping high standards to meet safety expectations of riders and government jurisdictions. The resulting process has therefore become more vigorous than those required by taxi and limo drivers throughout the USA.
Yet even with these high standard regarding the examination of employed drivers, Democratic Senator, Al Franken of Minnesota needs the company to define their privacy policies. People can becoming increasingly concerned as Spain, the Netherlands, and Portland, Oregon have banned Uber from operating in their jurisdictions. Whatever steps are taken from here on out will be under the complete transparency of the public and its media outlets. Uber will, and should maintain high standards of excellence but must also provide fair evaluations of its drivers without any bias or prejudice.
This post was repurposed for Slideshare. To read more articles just like this from Jonah Engler, visit his main website at JonahEngler.com.