Uber and Lyft drivers in at least 10 major US cities will shut off their apps to fight for better wages, health insurance and driver safety policies from the ride-sharing companies on Wednesday, May 8. The strike comes ahead of Uber’s anticipated initial public offering this week and is expected to cause some traffic delays, with many demonstrations happening at airports.
If you or your group is traveling tomorrow, here’s what you should know:
- You can still call Uber or Lyft, but you should expect longer wait times and higher surge pricing.
- Many airports and cities have announced that they are working with taxi dispatchers to provide more alternate transportation at airports.
- Some city strikes will continue for a full 24 hours, starting at midnight. Others will be striking intermittently throughout the day.
Survey: Most US Business Travelers Prefer Ride-Sharing Over Taxis
Read below to see if your city is affected.
Los Angeles—24 hours
Starting Wednesday at midnight, ride-share drivers in Los Angeles will turn their apps off for a full 24 hours, with protests planned at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Alternate transportation: From LAX, consider taxis, free hotel shuttles, shared and long-distance shuttles or public buses to Santa Monica and Culver City. Click here for more info.
San Diego—24 hours
Like Los Angeles, San Diego ride-share drives will shut down their apps for 24 hours starting at midnight, with protests planned at San Diego International Airport (SAN) throughout the day.
Alternate transportation: From SAN, consider taxis, shuttles and one of many public transportation options servicing the city, Orange County and Los Angeles area via bus and train. Also available is a scenic, pedestrian walkway to downtown, Little Italy, Liberty Station and Point Loma.
Boston—24 hours
Boston ride-share drivers will strike for 24 hours starting at midnight, with protests planned at Uber’s Greenlight Hub in the afternoon.
Alternate transportation: From Logan Airport (BOS), consider taxis, shuttles or local public transit. For an added welcome, direct groups to a water taxi at Logan dock, with direct routes to downtown Boston (and fantastic views) from the airport. Click here for more info.
San Francisco—noon to midnight
Uber drivers in San Francisco will shut off their apps for 12 hours, from noon to midnight, with protests planned in front of Uber’s downtown city headquarters at noon.
Alternate transportation: From SFO, consider taxis and shuttles, or take advantage of the Bay Area Rapid Transport (BART) system, servicing downtown San Francisco and Oakland from the airport. Click here for more info.
Atlanta—noon to midnight
Atlanta rideshare drivers will strike for 12 hours, from noon to midnight, with protests planned at Uber’s office at noon and Lyft’s at 5 p.m.
Alternate transportation: Consider taxis, shuttles, train or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, which services downtown. If you’re headed to Georgia International Convention Center, take advantage of the free ATL SkyTrain.
New York City—7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Uber, Lyft and all protesting ride-share drivers will be offline during the morning rush hour, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., with protests planned at the Uber and Lyft headquarters in Long Island in the early afternoon.
Alternate transportation: There will be taxis and shuttles available, but the quickest way to get downtown is by metro. Click here for more info.
Connecticut—11 a.m. to noon
Uber drivers across the state will be offline from 11 a.m. to noon to picket Uber’s Stamford office.
Alternative transportation: From Bradley International Airport (BDL), consider taxi, shuttle, train and local bus lines to downtown Hartford. Click here for more info.
Philadelphia—noon to 1 p.m.
Uber drivers will be offline from noon to 1 p.m. to picket Uber’s Greenlight Hub.
Alternate transportation: From Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), consider taxis, shuttles and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority train services, with trips to Center City every half-hour from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
Chicago—1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Participating rideshare drivers in Chicago will be striking from 1:30 p.m., with a downtown protest planned at 3 p.m.
Alternate transportation: In addition to taxis and shuttles, Chicago Transit Authority services both O’Hare International Airport (ORD, via Blue Line) and Midway International Airport (MDW, via Orange Line).
Washington, D.C. —8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
From 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., ride-share drivers in the nation’s capital will picket Reagan National Airport.
Alternate transportation: From Reagan National Airport (DCA), consider taxis, shuttles and the elevated Metrorail, which services Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. From Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), hop into the Washington Flyer Taxicab, which exclusively serves the airport 24/7.
