Black passengers in LA more likely to have taxi, Lyft, Uber cancelled

A troubling new study out Wednesday by UCLA claims black passengers hailing rides with taxis, Lyft and Uber are more likely to have their ride cancelled and face other travel setbacks in comparison to white passengers.

The study, ‘Ridehail Revolution: Ridehail Travel and Equity in Los Angeles,’ was conducted by Anne Brown, a postdoctoral transportation researcher.

The research was carried out in the hot spot city between October and December 2017 and involved 18 participants of various ethnicities who were enrolled at the university.

A total of 1,704 car trips were hailed via mobile app among the time frame – and included either a photo or name of each participant.

A study released this week claims black passengers in LA were subject to racial bias by taxi, Lyft and Uber

The study was conducted late last year. A total of 18 participants of various ethnicities took part

The study was conducted late last year. A total of 18 participants of various ethnicities took part

The study revealed alleged racial biases – most significantly among taxi drivers.

In Los Angeles, taxi drivers were 73 percent more likely to cancel rides for black people than white people.

The report claims 25 percent of black passengers were never picked up by their taxi driver.

Black passengers also faced a 52 percent longer wait time than whites, according to the shocking study. 

The results for Lyft and Uber seemed somewhat mild in comparison to the setbacks passengers faced with taxis.

A spokesperson for Lyft told DailyMail.com Brown's research findings in part were 'not statistically significant' 

A spokesperson for Lyft told DailyMail.com Brown’s research findings in part were ‘not statistically significant’ 

A spokesperson for Uber has not yet provided comment on the matter

A spokesperson for Uber has not yet provided comment on the matter

Still, ‘in 7 percent of the trips taken by the students, Lyft drivers cancelled on black riders, compared with 5 percent of Asians/Hispanics and 3 percent of whites,’ according to USA Today, who spoke with Brown about the results.

‘Uber drivers (who see only a name once the trip is accepted) canceled on black riders 6 percent of the time, Asians/Hispanics 3 percent and whites 2 percent.’

Overall, the report claims ‘taxis canceled rides on blacks 26 percent of the time, Asians/Hispanics 20 percent and whites 14 percent.’ 

Brown told USA Today she believes taxis in this day and age have less accountability than Lyft and Uber.

The study, 'Ridehail Revolution: Ridehail Travel and Equity in Los Angeles,' was conducted by Anne Brown, a postdoctoral transportation researcher

The study, ‘Ridehail Revolution: Ridehail Travel and Equity in Los Angeles,’ was conducted by Anne Brown, a postdoctoral transportation researcher

‘From an equality point of view, there’s some way to go before the gap between riders is truly erased, but it’s far narrower with ride-hailing,’ she said.

‘With some policy changes, Uber and Lyft could erase the racial gap between riders entirely.’ 

DailyMail.com reached out to the ride-hailing companies Wednesday evening for comment.

Lyft Senior Communications Manager Chris Nishimura released a statement about the matter.

Nishimura said the company is working with Brown to correct inaccuracies in her research, calling the rates for black, white, Asian, Hispanic Lyft riders ‘effectively zero because of margins of error’ – or not statistically significant.

He added: ‘We applaud Anne Brown’s in-depth study on Lyft’s contribution to expanding access to transportation and increasing transportation equity in Los Angeles County.

‘This, and similar research, is important for all parties involved in the transportation industry. We are proud of the advancements Lyft has made in expanding access to transportation for passengers from all walks of life, and particularly from historically underserved communities. 

‘However, no incident of discrimination is acceptable, and we are building systems to detect these incidents.’



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk