Tag Archives: drivers

UK Uber Drivers Face Reduced Earnings Due to Secret Algorithm Changes

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A significant number of Uber drivers have reported earning “considerably less” per hour since the introduction of the “dynamic pricing” algorithm by the ride-hailing app in 2023.

This conclusion emerged from a study released on Thursday by researchers at Oxford University, who examined data from 258 Uber drivers across the UK, accounting for 1.5 million trips.

Following a 20% reduction in fixed fare cuts in the UK, Uber launched dynamic pricing in 2023. This algorithm varies passenger ride prices and fare payments in numerous ways, evolving from Uber’s previous “surge pricing” model that raised prices during peak demand.

Researchers discovered that Uber currently claims a fare reduction of 29% or “acquisition rate,” which in some cases has exceeded 50%.

The union criticized this initiative, stating in 2023 that it lacked transparency and could degrade working conditions by profiling drivers based on their acceptance of lower fares.

According to the Oxford survey, “With the introduction of dynamic pricing, Uber riders now face higher fares, yet drivers do not benefit.”

The research was conducted in partnership with the non-profit gig worker organization, Worker Information Exchange (WIE). “Our results indicate that many aspects of Uber driver employment have worsened following the dynamic pricing rollout.”

The median take rate per driver has risen from 25% to 29%, with some trips exceeding 50%. Additionally, these higher take rates are predominantly observed among higher-income brackets. On average, many drivers are making significantly less per hour from their labor.

These findings come amidst various controversies involving tech companies, including a pivotal 2021 UK Supreme Court ruling affirming that Uber drivers are entitled to minimum wage and paid leave.

After the Uber Files were published, Jill Hazelbaker, Uber’s Vice President of Public Relations, stated:

The Oxford research also noted that the average hourly wage for a driver stands at £29.46. However, this drops to £15.98 when factoring in wait times, as defined by Uber, or the moments drivers are available for passenger pickups. Neither of these averages accounts for vehicle upkeep, insurance, fuel, or other expenses.

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Uber responded, stating it “does not recognize the figures in this report,” emphasizing that “all drivers are assured a minimum national living wage.”

One participant in the survey remarked, “It feels like Uber is taking away our clients and opportunities.”

An Uber representative affirmed, “UBU drivers garnered more than £1 billion in earnings from January to March of this year, surpassing previous years. Drivers have the freedom to choose to drive with Uber.”

“Every driver receives a weekly earnings summary, detailing what Uber and the drivers have made from their rides. Many drivers take pride in their choice to drive for Uber, especially as passenger demand and travel continue to increase.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research: Early Drivers of Fire Use for Meat Preservation and Predator Protection, Not Cooking

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The advent of fire marks a significant point in human evolution, though scholars continue to debate its primary function. While cooking is frequently regarded as a key factor, researchers from Tel Aviv University propose that the protection of meat and fat from predators is more plausible. Homo Erectus lived during the Lower Paleolithic era, approximately 1.9 to 0.78 million years ago.

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Miki Ben-Dor & Ran Barkai’s research highlights the nutritional value of meat and fat from large prey in the Lower Paleolithic, questioning the significance of culinary practices in shaping human dietary evolution and offering new insights into adaptations in Homo Erectus.

“The origins of fire usage is a ‘burning’ question among prehistoric researchers globally,” stated Professor Barkay, a co-author of the study.

“By around 400,000 years ago, it was widely accepted that fire was commonly used in domestic settings. I concur with the idea of meat roasting, as well as its use for lighting and heating.”

“However, there remains a debate concerning the past million years, with various theories put forth to explain early human interactions with fire.”

“This study aimed to approach this issue from a new angle.”

“For early humans, the use of fire wasn’t a given; most archaeological sites dated around 400,000 years ago show no signs of fire usage,” explained Dr. Miki Ben-Dor, lead author of the study from Tel Aviv University.

“However, in many early locations, there are clear indications of fire usage, even if there’s no evidence of burnt bones or roasted meat.”

“We see early humans—nearly Homo Erectus—utilizing fire sporadically for specific purposes rather than regularly.”

“Collecting fuel, igniting a fire, and maintaining it involved substantial effort, requiring a compelling energy-efficient reason.”

“We propose a new hypothesis for that motivation.”

In their research, the authors reviewed existing literature on all identified prehistoric sites between 1.8 million and 800,000 years ago where fire evidence has been found.

They identified nine sites globally, including Gesher Benot Ya’aqov and Evron Quarry in Israel, six sites in Africa, and one site in Spain.

The study also drew from ethnographic research on contemporary hunter-gatherer societies, relating their behaviors to ancient conditions.

“We examined the common features of these nine ancient sites and found they all contained a significant number of bones from large animals, mainly elephants, hippos, and rhinoceroses,” Dr. Ben-Dor noted.

“Previous research has shown these large animals were critical to early human diets, providing a substantial portion of their caloric needs.”

“For instance, the meat and fat from a single elephant can supply millions of calories, enough to sustain a group of 20 to 30 people for over a month.”

“Thus, hunting elephants and hippos was highly valuable—essentially a ‘bank’ of meat and fat that required protection and preservation, as it was sought after by predators and susceptible to decay.”

Through their analysis of findings and assessments of energetic benefits of preserving meat and fat, the researchers arrived at new conclusions that challenge previous theories. Early fires served dual purposes: first, to safeguard valuable resources from predators, and second, to facilitate smoking and prevent spoilage.

“This study introduces a novel perspective on the motivations behind early human fire use: the necessity to protect large game from other predators and the long-term preservation of substantial meat supplies,” Professor Barkay explained.

“Cooking may have occurred occasionally after fire was established for these protective purposes.”

“Such usage could elucidate evidence of fish roasting around 800,000 years ago found at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov.”

“Our approach aligns with evolving global theories that characterize major prehistoric trends as adaptations to hunting and consuming large animals, followed by a gradual shift to smaller prey exploitation.”

Survey results were published in the journal Nutrition Frontier.

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Miki Ben-Dor & Ran Barkai. 2025. The bioenergy approach supports the conservation and protection of prey, rather than cooking, as a primary driver for early use of fire. Front. Nutr. 12; doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1585182

Source: www.sci.news

The Impressive UK Private Employment Drivers on Valentine’s Day in the Gig Economy

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wHensimon Waite began working as a private rental driver in 2017. It gave him the flexibility and income to spend time with his children. “School is my son’s soccer, and I was able to make money in my life,” he says.

But over the past few years, the 41-year-old Waite from Hertfordshire says he has to spend dramatically more time on the roads to make a living. “It took me about 50 hours to make £1,000 a week a few years ago, but now it’s about 70 hours. Most drivers will need to pay insurance, taxes, vehicle fees, maintenance, fuel, license, rent, bills, and maintenance fees. Living costs.”

Waite claims that drivers reduced fares to compensate for costs after the Supreme Court was classified as eligible to acquire workers’ rights, such as holidays and sick pay in 2021.

To challenge his working conditions, Waite will not work for the private rental driving app on Valentine’s Day from 4pm to 10pm. He has taken part in logoff actions against Uber, Bolt, and Addison Lee and withdraws his labor Thousands of others Requires better pay, rights, and safety measures.

Friday’s action is organized by three drivers and supported by the Independent Workers Union UK (IWGB). “The driver reports that he just got worse. [2021] The ruling responded to the enforcement of rights by lowering its fees,” the IWGB said. Approximately 200 drivers from cities across the country contacted the Guardian and shared their opinions on the actions.

Wait, who is signed up with Bolt, says Uber is a great app that “has done so many amazing things about how people avoid it.” But he says the decline in wages has “at a place I can’t.” He is considering quitting his job.

Valentine’s Day action is about raising awareness among drivers [and] We build that momentum,” Waite said. “We’re going to strengthen Uber and run this system. If we’re united, we can actually make changes.”

Another driver scheduled to log off on Friday is Isaac Mohammed, 30, a part-time Cardiff driver since 2016.




Isaac Mohammed, 30, said fares could drop to £1 per mile. Photo: Isaac Mohammed/Guardian Community

“It used to be the best ride app, but things have changed dramatically over the past two years,” says Mohammed. It was often 3 pounds per mile.

“Today, having a takeaway for me is considered a luxury,” he says. “Unless you live in your car, it’s very difficult to survive.”

The core issue of Mohammed is what counts as working time. Uber calculates it from when the ride is accepted until the passengers leave the exit, but he says this doesn’t take into account the time they wait for the ride.

Also involved is Kieran Airey, 36, of Merseyside, driving for Uber and a local private employment company. He says he realized in early 2024 it was taking time to reach his £200 a day goal. This meant rising from 55-60 hours a week, up from 45 hours. “At one point, I was basically working seven days a week,” he says.




“I just want fair wages for fair work,” says 36-year-old Kieran Airey. Photo: Kieran Airey/Guardian Community

He had to take his 14-year-old son to soccer and had to take a weekend nap, as he had eaten a processed microwave meal rather than a home-cooked dinner due to increased fatigue. So, “I had enough energy to do the job then, then.”

Airey says he is frustrated with the lack of transparency around the algorithms and payment structure. “I just want to make fair payments for fair work,” he says.


Uber claims that drivers are being paid unfairly. “Uber offers a national living wage guarantee for all drivers, and while they can earn money below that level, most drivers can make more money,” the spokesman said. Ta.

“All drivers are paid weekly as cash, representing an additional 12% of the revenues paid each week.

A spokesman for Addison Lee said the company has “close collaboration with our drivers” and “doesn’t expect to see disruptions with volume or service levels” on Friday. I contacted Bolt for comment.

Gavin, a 45-year-old driver from Uber and Bolt of Birmingham, says he sympathizes with some concerns but has not taken part in the action.

“I really have to thank Uber for giving me this opportunity to acquire a private employment driver,” he says. More than his previous work.

But with Martin Hayward, 54-year-old Southampton, a private employment driver for 20 years, joining in, he says the logoff action hasn’t gone far enough to make an impact. “I’m happy to log off for a week,” he says.




“I work seven days a week for under £500,” says Martin Hayward. Photo: Martin Hayward/Guardian Community

He claims he could earn around £750 a week ago by October last year, but now he’s earning around £450 in the same time.

“I work seven days a week for under £500. I don’t have a social life,” he says. “The worst thing about being a driver is always having a place to have a good time, whether it’s a theatre, a holiday, a trip, or a cruise. You’re just thinking… I’m not going to do these things. you can’t.

“It’s just putting you on the floor.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Minneapolis drivers successfully protest for wage increase, leading Lyft and Uber to exit city rather than pay fees.

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Uber and Lyft have announced the suspension of their operations in the Minneapolis area in protest of a newly passed minimum wage ordinance by the City Council.

The ordinance, set to take effect on May 1, establishes a minimum wage of $1.40 per mile and 0.51 cents per minute for rideshare drivers, with a minimum wage of $5 per ride. Despite the mayor’s veto being overridden by the City Council, Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave the area in response.


If the companies proceed with their plans to halt operations on May 1, Minneapolis will stand as the only city in the U.S. without Uber or Lyft services.

Advocates for the bill highlight the low wages and high costs faced by rideshare drivers. They assert that wages have decreased, leading to support for the ordinance.

Eid Ali, a veteran rideshare driver and president of the Minnesota Uber Lyft Drivers Association, has been terminated. Uber and Lyft argue that the minimum wage is unsustainable for maintaining affordable fares for riders.

Ali expressed his disbelief in the actions of the multi-billion-dollar companies, emphasizing the need for fair compensation and a living wage for all workers.

Should Uber and Lyft exit the market, Ali believes that other entities are prepared to step in. He believes their fight is not solely about the minimum wage but also about its implications on the broader market.

Farhan Bader, another rideshare driver, highlighted the undervaluation of drivers’ roles in society and argued for fair compensation amid declining pay and increased working hours.

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Efforts are underway by Minnesota lawmakers to introduce a bill preempting Minneapolis regulations to retain Uber and Lyft in the area.

Uber’s senior director of communications, Josh Gold, expressed disappointment in the City Council’s decision and emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure drivers receive fair wages while keeping rideshare affordable.

A Lyft spokesperson also voiced support for state-level preemption and raised concerns about the impact of the minimum wage ordinance on drivers’ income and the accessibility of ridesharing services.

Uber and Lyft’s clash with regulators over wages and working conditions reflects a broader trend seen in the industry both in the U.S. and globally.

Source: www.theguardian.com