Minneapolis, MN
Lyft promises to leave Minnesota entirely after state ride-hailing 'compromise'
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After Minnesota state legislators and Minneapolis council members announced a compromise on wage legislation for Uber and Lyft drivers, Lyft says it now plans to pull out of Minnesota entirely.
In a statement, Lyft says if the compromise legislation the company will leave the entire state — not just Minneapolis.
“Lyft continues to support a minimum earnings standard for drivers,” a statement from a Lyft spokesperson reads. “However, as was the case with the extremely-flawed Minneapolis ordinance, the proposed rates in the state bill would be incredibly damaging for both riders and drivers. Rides would become unaffordable for most across the state, not just in Minneapolis, and drivers would earn even less. It would make the service unsustainable in Minnesota, and we would be forced to shut down throughout the state, should it pass.”
The state bill will raise ride-hailing driver wages to $1.27 per mile and 49 cents per minute. That’s lower than the wages in the Minneapolis ordinance, $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute, but below the numbers Uber and Lyft have said they would support: 89 cents per mile and 49 per minute – which were the rates recommended by a state report.
Rideshare compromise eyed by Minnesota lawmakers
A week after the Minneapolis City Council extended the enactment of an ordinance that would raise wages for drivers – a move that led Uber and Lyft to threaten to leave if approved – Minnesota legislators are hoping to create a policy that would guide the rideshare industry for the entire state.
That state report found that Uber and Lyft drivers on average made below minimum wage after accounting for expenses.
Previously, Lyft had only threatened to leave Minneapolis, once the pay raise ordinance went into effect, but had planned to continue service in the rest of the metro and state. Uber had said it would leave Minneapolis and potentially the entire metro because of the ordinance. Uber has not yet reacted to the latest proposal.
Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) says the newly agreed-upon rates match rates in other states and are below rates in Washington state — where both Uber and Lyft still operate.
When asked, Rep. Long said he believes Lyft’s threats are a bluff by the company to negotiate a better deal.
“We know the companies have said the same thing in other states,” Rep. Long said. “They’ve said that they’d leave at certain rates, and they’ve stayed and been able to operate profitably.”
Rep. Long says he spoke with both Uber and Lyft on Monday but did not consult the companies before reaching a deal on the rates in the current bill. He believes he has enough votes to get the bill through the state legislature. Long says the Minneapolis council members have agreed to drop their rate to match the state legislation.
Minneapolis delayed putting its ordinance into effect until July 1.
File photo of MSP airport. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is bracing for a busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period lasting through early December.
Holiday travel at MSP
Local perspective:
MSP is preparing for a busy travel period, with more than 441,000 people expected to pass through security checkpoints over 12 days. Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 30, are projected to be the busiest days, with an estimated 47,000 to 49,000 people walking through the doors each day.
“We will see passenger activity pick up a week out from Thanksgiving as many get a jump-start on their holiday travels,” explained Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP.
Travelers using the airport between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1 should prepare for busy roadways and terminals due to an increased number of drivers picking up and dropping off passengers for the holidays, the airport says.
To help manage the congestion, MSP has opened a new FLEX Lane at Terminal 1 for an additional area to pick-up and drop-off passengers. This new zone is located across from the primary drop-off curb, and offers terminal access through doors 5–8.
Big picture view:
AAA is predicting a record-setting Thanksgiving travel season, anticipating at least 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home. The majority, an estimated 73 million people, plan to travel by car, up 1.3 million people from last year.
Air travel is also expected to rise, with roughly 6 million travelers taking domestic flights, a 2% increase over the previous year, according to AAA.
Holiday travel tips
MSP provided tips for those planning to travel during the holidays:
- MSP passengers can reserve a spot in the security line for free using MSP reserve.
- Travelers can pre-book parking online, though it must be made at least 12 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time.
- Travelers using Terminal 1 can view the checkpoint wait-time boards upon arrival. All gates can be accessed from either checkpoint, though the North Checkpoint often has shorter wait times.
- Drivers can use the new FLEX Lane option, or use either level of the terminal to pick up or drop off passengers.
- To help reduce congestion, drivers are encouraged to wait at the free cellphone lots, located on Post Road, until their party is ready to be picked up.
The Source: This story uses information from MAC and AAA press release.
CASS LAKE — A Minneapolis man has been arrested after discharging a firearm at a gas station on Tuesday in Cass Lake.
According to a release from Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk, at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, dispatch received a report of an individual with a gun shooting in a parking lot of a business at 203 Aspen Ave. NW in Cass Lake.
Deputies arrived on the scene and, in talking with the individuals involved, found that a family was traveling from the Bemidji area to the Twin Cities when a dispute occurred.
The driver of the vehicle stopped in the parking lot of a business, passengers exited the vehicle, and a weapon was fired at an adult male passenger, striking a gas pump, the release said. Minor injuries were reported from the dispute.
Jose Pineda Jr., 20, of Minneapolis, was arrested and transported to the Cass County Detention Center. Charges, including reckless discharge of a firearm, second-degree assault and domestic assault, are pending.
Assisting at the scene were the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department.
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