The biggest name in the ridesharing industry – and one of the biggest names in today’s economy, period – has Boston and Cambridge police breathing down its neck. That’s because the company, Uber, is currently tied to an alleged rape and kidnapping case, as well as three other separate reports of alleged sexual assaults.
In each case, the victims, all of whom are women, told officers they had requested rides from a ride-sharing service. The victims of the alleged sexual assaults said they contacted Uber. It’s unclear which ridesharing service the Cambridge woman – who was allegedly kidnapped and raped by a driver – used to request a ride from Tremont Street the night of Dec. 6; it’s clear an Uber driver, 46-year-old Boston man Alejandro Done, showed up, though.
It’s possible that, in all four cases, Uber, specifically its Boston branch, won’t face any direct blowback. Because while police discovered – and Uber admitted – that Done is an Uber driver, he may not have been operating as one at the time. And also, because the victims who reported being sexually assaulted by drivers merely told police they had contacted Uber; they could have entered an impostor’s car.
But here’s the bottom line: Uber can’t seem to avoid bad press in Boston and, really, all over.
Uber is in hot water in cities across the world; here are some recent headlines:
- “Uber cab driver in India arrested after suspected rape” – Reuters
- “Uber Turned on Surge Pricing for People Fleeing Sydney Hostage Scene” – Gawker
- “Man claims he was kidnapped by Uber driver in D.C.” – Fox Atlanta
- “Uber Rider Might Lose An Eye From Driver’s Hammer Attack. Could Uber Be Held Liable?” – Forbes
And then, of course, who could forget…
- “Uber Executive Suggests Digging Up Dirt on Journalists” – BuzzFeed
- “Why I deleted my Uber App” – ChicagoInno
Until this week, though, Uber Boston had only come under fire from the taxi industry and its overseer, the Boston Police Department Hackney Division. In fact, Dec. 1 was the first time the Boston City Council had met to discuss possible regulations against rideshare companies.
Suddenly Uber is no longer a “disruptor faced with unnecessary city government regulation”; Uber regulations now actually seem necessary.
The narrative and the public perception of Uber in Boston has changed this week, in light of recent allegations. Suddenly Uber is no longer a “disruptor faced with unnecessary city government regulation”; Uber regulations now actually seem necessary.
Legislation that would do just that may be on the way. A recent proposal announced by Governor Deval Patrick would see Uber – and competitors like Lyft – face new requirements and regulation from the state Department of Public Utilities, which also oversees the operations of bus transportation services like Peter Pan.
Legislation appears unlikely to pass before Patrick’s term is up. Nevertheless, the state transportation department is scheduled to host a public hearing on the new ridesharing requirements on Dec. 31. Even if Governor-elect Charlie Baker is the one who may have to sign the new legislation into law, the point is: at this time, ridesharing regulation appears to be a near-certainty.
