The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
When traveling in New Jersey, your choice of transportation can significantly impact your overall experience. While ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft offer convenience, they fall short in areas where professional chauffeur services excel. Opting for a car transport services in New Jersey ensures comfort, safety, and an unparalleled level of professionalism that ride-shares simply can’t match.
Continue reading 5 Reasons to Choose a Chauffeur Over a Ride-Share Driver in New Jersey
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The term “gig economy” has become a household phrase, describing a labor market driven by internet-era platforms. From Uber drivers to Airbnb hosts, these workers embody a new kind of economic participation. A 2023 study estimated that in 2021, approximately 4.9 million Americans were engaged in platform-based gig work—a figure that reflects the growing prevalence of this economic model.
Continue reading Understanding the Gig Economy: A Flexible Workforce for a Digital Era
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, in March 2019, Samantha Josephson, a resident of New Jersey, was tragically kidnapped and murdered near the University of South Carolina by an assailant posing as a Rideshare service driver. In response to this heartbreaking incident, the Josephson family established the #WHATSMYNAME Foundation, dedicated to promoting essential ride service safety education. A pivotal aspect of this initiative is urging passengers to verify the legitimacy of their driver by asking “What’s my name?” before entering the vehicle.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the city’s lights begin to twinkle, the allure of nightlife beckons. Whether it’s a night out with friends, a romantic dinner, or a lively concert, the excitement of evening entertainment is undeniable. However, with great revelry comes a great responsibility – ensuring a safe journey home. The age-old dilemma of “Should I drive after a few drinks?” has plagued many a partygoer. Fortunately, in this modern age, we have a game-changer at our fingertips: rideshare services. In this blog post, we’ll explore how rideshares have become the go-to, safer alternative to drinking and driving, allowing you to enjoy the nightlife without jeopardizing your safety or others. Let’s dive in!
Continue reading Navigating Nightlife with Rideshare: A Safer Alternative to Drinking and Driving
So you’re gearing up for your trip and are trying to decide what to do with your car when it’s time to fly out. Do you park it at the airport or do you choose to leave it at home or take a taxi to the airport? Do you choose to use a car service such as Uber or Lyft? There are plenty of solutions to this popular issue. Many airports offer several different options for parking with differing lengths of time. Most airports will offer a choice between short-term parking and long-term parking. Today we’re here to talk about the top 3 reasons you should consider long-term parking at the airport. Continue reading 3 Reasons You Should Consider Long-Term Airport Parking
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has advanced its worker misclassification case against Lyft to the courts, asking an administrative law judge to confirm the Department’s assessment that the ride-share company owes $16 million in unemployment, temporary disability and family leave contributions and penalties, as a four-year Department audit found.
Continue reading Worker Misclassification Case Against Lyft Heads to an Administrative Law Judge
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON NJ, A Senate bill, S 4204, which is expected to be voted on Thursday in the New Jersey Senate Labor Committee, would drastically alter New Jersey’s legal definition of independent contractors—a change that would hurt free-lance business owners, small subcontractors, and the businesses that contract with those companies. NFIB, a small business association with thousands of members in the state, adamantly opposes this bill and is concerned about the turmoil it would create within the small business community.
Continue reading New Jersey Attempts to Shut Down the Private Enterprise and the GIG Economy
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In light of the recent tragedy in South Carolina,
Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney shares a few tips to keep in mind when using ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, here are the steps you can take to ensure a safe ride:
photo courtesy of Fair Lawn Police Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fair Lawn NJ, Fair Lawn Police report that At 11:02 am yesterday the 27th of November officers responded to a one car motor vehicle accident into a tree. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The operator was suspected driving while intoxicated and blew three times the legal limit! It is not worth it, take an Uber or Lyft or some other means besides getting behind the wheel!
The sharing economy is here to stay no matter what anyone says. Our kids will take self-drive uber cars to work and play, and stay at Air BnB shared accommodations on business trips and holidays. The fact that Ridgewood isn’t a destination probably means it never takes off here anyway, but luddites rule in NJ and Ridgewood. Tesla’s online sales model was banned because it messes with car dealers, uber is a threat to cabbies, and Air BnB threatens hotels. Why aren’t we asking what is wrong with the conventional wisdom on these issues instead of the immediate reaction to block change?
Updated: DECEMBER 29, 2016 — 1:08 AM EST
by Andrew Seidman, TRENTON BUREAU @AndrewSeidman
Ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have been operating in New Jersey for years, but the state doesn’t regulate how they contract with drivers, insure, or provide other protections to consumers.
That could change soon, pending Gov. Christie’s approval.
During a marathon session before the holidays, the Democratic-controlled Legislature voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that specifies how much insurance ride-hailing companies must maintain, and establishes requirements for conducting background checks on drivers.
So-called transportation network companies would be prohibited from discriminating against riders based on their destination, race, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity, among other things.
FEBRUARY 2, 2016 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016, 5:25 PM
BY RICHARD NEWMAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Following the lead of angry Uber drivers in New York City, the ride-hailing service’s contract drivers in New Jersey are planning a work stoppage and demonstration next week to protest recent fare cuts, the head of a new statewide trade association said Tuesday.
Patrick J. McManus, president of the fledgling New Jersey App-Based Drivers Association, said Tuesday the trade group will meet Wednesday in Woodbridge to discuss plans to protest “probably on Monday,” at Uber’s New Jersey office in Hoboken. There are 13,000 Uber drivers in New Jersey.
If they do it would be the second such action in the New York metropolitan area this month. Hundreds of Uber drivers demonstrated this Monday in front of Uber’s New York City headquarters in Queens to protest the recent 15-percent rate cuts.
Rates paid to drivers who provide UberX service were cut 15 percent to 85 cents a mile throughout most of New Jersey Jan. 9 and drivers are very unhappy about it, said McManus. The Edison resident drives as an independent contractor for both Uber Technologies and its largest rival, Lyft.
“This is the third or fourth rate cut that [Uber’s] done,” McManus said Tuesday in a phone interview. “It’s a chase to the bottom. They are cheapening the job.”
Uber, Lyft Rider Safety or Union Push to Raise Rates
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft could be driven out of New Jersey if a bill lawmakers are considering becomes law.
That’s at least what the transportation network companies faced with potential new regulations say. Lawmakers, unionized taxicab drivers and other supporters of the legislation argue the bill promotes public safety.
Lawmakers across the country are beginning to turn their attention to regulating ride-hailing firms. Already eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws addressing them, according to a tally from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, a trade group that supports the bill in New Jersey. Four other states await action on measures from their governors.
In New Jersey, legislators are beginning to focus on Gov. Chris Christie’s 2016 budget, so a bipartisan measure regulating the ride-hailing companies is stalled at the moment after passing an Assembly committee in March — though lawmakers and other observers are optimistic it will continue to weave its way through the Legislature.
A similar bill in the state Senate is awaiting committee action. Christie typically does not comment on bills before they reach his desk.
The legislation calls for a number of new requirements, including requiring ride-hailing firms to display a Motor Vehicle Commission marker when drivers are searching for fares, background checks for drivers as well as safety inspections for vehicles.
Proponents argue the measure protects riders from public safety concerns by requiring criminal background checks through the State Police. They also say the bill would “level the playing field” between ride-hailing firms, which frequently charge lower rates, and taxis, which are already heavily regulated.
Lionel Leach, the president of Communication Workers of America Local 1039, which represents about 300 cab drivers in New Jersey, pointed to a recent news report that alleged a rider nearly became the robbery victim of a driver. New Jersey does not track crime statistics by cab, livery or ride-hailing services, making claims difficult to vet.
Leach says companies like Uber have given taxicab drivers a wakeup call by innovating and that ride-booking companies improve the industry overall. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s great technology,” he said. “But my concern is not about how cheap their fares are. It’s the public safety part of it.”
The companies say they’re dedicated to safety. Uber announced plans last month to establish a safety advisory board to review the firm’s practices.
Uber and Lyft have also taken steps to expand insurance coverage, a major sticking point in the regulations debate.