Uber Black, Taxi Drivers Clog Center City To Protest Uber, Lyft
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Drivers of Uber's more expensive black car service are protesting the less costly UberX drivers, saying they are taking up all the fares in Philadelphia.
Cabbies piled on to prove a point, and it created a traffic nightmare in Center City.
For nearly two hours everyone around City Hall heard the voices, and car the horns, of hundreds of disgruntled drivers. They say unregulated UberX and Lyft drivers are under-cutting taxi and limousine services.
Billy is an Uber Black driver who says something needs to be done.
"They're killing us. They don't have to pay commercial insurance, they don't have a commercial license."
And he says they aren't going through the same background checks as professional drivers.
Still, people love UberX.
Sean Cook, who is black, says cabbies routinely drive right past him.
"They don't stop for us. We stand right here at 15th and Market. At night, they will not stop for you, unless you have a lady with you."
In a statement, Uber says they have heard the complaints and are working with drivers to help everybody make more money.
