Member-only story
Uber’s New Minimum Wage
and why it hasn’t yet gone into effect
In early December, the Washington Post (among other news outlets) reported that ride-sharing drivers in New York City would now be entitled to a minimum wage. The Taxi and Limousine Commission set this rate at $17.22 per hour after expenses, and estimated that most drivers would see an annual wage increase of approximately $10,000.
The early media coverage was promising: by the end of 2018, drivers would be guaranteed an hourly rate of $26.41 before expenses, even taking into consideration long rides outside of New York City without customers for the return trip. After expenses, drivers could expect to earn $17.22 per hour, as long as they were online and accepting rides.
Sounds like a nice change. Except for the fact that nobody has said a word since then.
Several articles claimed that the regulation would go into effect within 20 days, meaning December 24, 2018. That day has come and passed. An official notice stated that it would take 30 days (putting us into early January).
