Study: Hub Uber drivers show bias against blacks
Uber drivers in Boston canceled rides for people with African-Americansounding names more than twice as often as for those with white-sounding names, according to a study published by Cambridge's National Bureau of Economic Research.
Male passengers requesting a ride, meanwhile, were more than three times as likely to have their trip canceled when they used a African-American-sounding name than when they used a white-sounding name, according to the study by researchers at MIT, Stanford University and the University of Washington. That frequency was concentrated in low population density areas, “perhaps because drivers in those areas self-select to reduce their interaction with African-Americans,” the study states.
The study is based on research assistants in Boston hailing 451 UberX trips and 460 Lyft trips.
UberX drivers only see the name of passengers after accepting a ride.
“As expected, we find no effect on cancellations for African-American riders of Lyft because, we surmise, that given that names and photos are visible to the driver prior to acceptance, any discrimination occurs prior to accepting the initial request,” the study states.
In a statement, Rachel Holt, head of Uber's North American operations, said “discrimination has no place in society and no place on Uber.”
“We believe Uber is helping reduce transportation inequities across the board, but studies like this one are helpful in thinking about how we can do even more,” she said.
Racial or gender discrimination by drivers “can result in permanent loss of access to the Uber platform,” according to the company.
Lyft also stressed that the company does not tolerate discrimination.
“We are extremely proud of the positive impact Lyft has on communities of color,” said Lyft spokesman Adrian Durbin. “Because of Lyft, people living in underserved areas — which taxis have historically neglected — are now able to access convenient, affordable rides.”