WILL YOUR NAME CAUSE YOU TO WAIT LONGER FOR A PICKUP?
New research data reveals people of color experience longer wait for pickup from Uber and Lyft drivers.
According to a study conducted over a two year period, by the National Bureau of Economic Research and students at the University of Washington, Uber and Lyft drivers discriminate against black people.
During the study black and white students “took to the streets to request an Uber or Lyft ride.” What was uncovered may not be shocking given all the racial tension surrounding the current presidential race. “There is still discrimination happening,” said Washington State University, Transportation Engineering Professor, Don MacKenzie.
The research revealed that black students waited an average 30% longer for their car to show up and 20% longer wait time for the trip to even be accepted.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, conducted a study where they created two different Uber profiles with the only difference being the passenger’s name. Names common among African Americans, experienced more instances of trips being accepted and then cancelled.
MacKenzie recommends passenger pickup companies periodically audit their driver’s behavior and monitor cancellation rates to avoid discrimination. He also suggests these companies consider utilizing a system which does not include names. “There’s no evidence the companies themselves discriminate. These are the actions of individual drivers who are using the platforms. We have no reason to think it’s every driver,” said MacKenzie.
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