Blog 4 - Uber Backlash
Uber is undoubtedly the biggest online transportation company in the world. However, as powerful as the company may be, public perception still plays a major role in its continuing success. The company ran into some trouble earlier this month due to its political involvement with the Trump administration. Uber's CEO, Travis Kalanick, currently sits on Trump's business advisory council. To further add to the backlash, Uber dropped its surge pricing during the New York taxi strike last week. Uber's move was viewed as an attempt to break up the strike, although they begged to differ. Uber defended themselves by saying they wanted to provide convenient transportation for strikers to and from JFK.
Regardless of the cause, this intervention caused outrage among users countrywide. More than 200,000 customers already deleted their accounts following the #deleteUber movement on social media. Not only is the company losing its business, its users are switching to the competitor's platform, Lyft. For several years now, Uber and Lyft have been the two biggest players in this industry. Uber, however, far surpassed Lyft in the number of revenues and users. With Uber's recent backlash, this finally gave Lyft a chance to gain more market shares. For the first time ever, Lyft's downloads exceeded Uber's on iTunes Store. Uber tried to revamp its image by pledging to donate $3 million to drivers affected by the recent immigration ban by President Trump. Its rival, Lyft, also jumped on the bandwagon by pledging to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As the two continue their fight on for the public's approval, social media will be ready to reciprocate.
Regardless of the cause, this intervention caused outrage among users countrywide. More than 200,000 customers already deleted their accounts following the #deleteUber movement on social media. Not only is the company losing its business, its users are switching to the competitor's platform, Lyft. For several years now, Uber and Lyft have been the two biggest players in this industry. Uber, however, far surpassed Lyft in the number of revenues and users. With Uber's recent backlash, this finally gave Lyft a chance to gain more market shares. For the first time ever, Lyft's downloads exceeded Uber's on iTunes Store. Uber tried to revamp its image by pledging to donate $3 million to drivers affected by the recent immigration ban by President Trump. Its rival, Lyft, also jumped on the bandwagon by pledging to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As the two continue their fight on for the public's approval, social media will be ready to reciprocate.
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