[MN-at-Large] Local news story featuring NFB about rideshare

[David Andrews]

>
>The NFB was 
><https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ8zueabMYQ>featured 
>on FOX9 tonight for the Metro Chapter’s 
>passing of a resolution about Uber and Lyft. Please watch and share!
>
>Thank you to vice president Briley O’Connor 
>for representing us so well, and thank you to 
>Judy Sanders for promptly answering the phones 
>when the reporter called on a tight deadline. 
>I’m also grateful to the At-large Chapter for 
>passing an identical resolution at their meeting on Sunday.
>
>Here is the text of the resolution:
>
>WHEREAS, rideshare services have become an 
>important means of reliable, affordable, and 
>efficient transportation for many who live and 
>work in the Twin Cities and beyond, improving 
>access to employment and other opportunities in 
>our communities, particularly for blind people and others who do not drive; and
>
>WHEREAS, the sustainable operation of rideshare 
>services, now and into the future, is dependent 
>upon economic viability for the companies as 
>well as fair compensation for the drivers providing the rides; and
>
>WHEREAS, the Minneapolis City Council recently 
>passed an ordinance setting minimum pay that 
>drivers must receive for rides in Minneapolis; and
>
>WHEREAS, as a result of the ordinance, Uber and 
>Lyft have stated that they will stop operating 
>in the Metro area as of May 1, 2024; and
>
>WHEREAS, the arrival of rideshare companies 
>rendered the taxi industry virtually 
>non-existent, and public transportation and 
>Metro Mobility are not at all equipped to absorb 
>the transportation needs that would go 
>unfulfilled in the event of such a move; and
>
>WHEREAS, without any apparent, direct 
>negotiations with drivers or the city, Uber and 
>Lyft have attempted to use their significant 
>customer base as leverage, urging customers to 
>communicate opposition to the pay increase; and
>
>WHEREAS, the City Council enacted the ordinance 
>and overrode a veto from Mayor Jacob Frey 
>without any public plan to address the 
>significant impact on people’s lives that 
>would be brought on by a potential departure of Uber and Lyft; now therefore
>
>BE IT RESOLVED by the Metro Chapter of the 
>National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota at 
>its meeting on March 16, 2024 that this 
>organization call upon the Minneapolis City 
>Council, the rideshare companies, drivers, and 
>all others concerned to work together swiftly 
>and decisively to find a solution for 
>maintaining access to affordable, reliable, and 
>efficient transportation in the Twin Cities and beyond; and
>
>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization 
>express its eagerness to assist in resolving 
>this crisis in every way we can, to prevent the 
>devastating impacts on many lives and 
>livelihoods that would occur with a loss of transportation.
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