Uber and Grab Threatens Motorcycle, Taxi Drivers’ Livelihood

The advent of transport apps like Uber and Grab has placed the livelihood of many motorcycle and traditional taxi drivers in jeopardy. Many drivers have seen their income decreased as they cannot compete on the rates and convenience of these apps.

Uber and Grab can let the user know how much the fare is in advance, even offering a fixed rate. While it may be costly against the drivers' negotiated price, passengers would want the ease of booking a taxi beforehand.

New York drivers have steadily upstaged a riot over the companies for two years. They would like to see fewer app company-drivers in the streets.

Meanwhile, the News Australia has quoted Le Van Nho, a 73-year-old Vietnamese motorcycle taxi driver saying, "I know the city like the back of my hand, every shortcut to avoid traffic. But my job now barely gives me enough money to live. I used to earn at least 200,000 dongs per day, but now only between 80,000 and 100,000."

The companies have, however, recruited these drivers themselves but they refused to join. Among their reasons were they're too old and lack knowledge on how to use new technologies, while some wouldn't want to share a percentage of their earnings to Uber and Grab.

"I was offered a job with Grab, but I'm too old to learn how to use a modern mobile phone. It would also be too costly to buy one for myself," Nho said. However, many have criticized the companies for lowering taxi rates for passengers while raking 15 percent of the drivers' income.

This heated issue resulted into a violent fight in some areas of the country. December 2016 saw 65 Grab drivers hurt in the fight mostly in airports or bus terminals.

This is not the only time where traditional drivers have expressed their dismay towards the transport apps. In fact, two years ago, Uber taxi cars in Mexico were defaced by angry drivers because the company is taking away their livelihood.

While many people have issues with the apps, a whopping 80 percent would still use it. The high percentage worries traditional drivers and asked the company to leave some passengers to them as well.