Baltimore Taxi Revival

05/27/2026

Laws like the one passed in Massachusetts, which enable transportation network operators, better known as rideshare drivers, and taxi drivers to unionize, are being passed across the country.

These laws don't just help drivers; they also help passengers by providing stable, consistent prices and copays for the transportation services they rely on. It's time for drivers and passengers in Maryland to join together and make transportation work better for both drivers and passengers in Maryland.

Fair fares and consistent copays that are respectful to both passengers and drivers create accessibility and can be provided to everyone. Every qualified professional driver should have access to participate in government-funded transportation services like the MTA Mobility Call-A-Ride Program without being exploited by for-profit entities that restrict access to available work, over charge drivers and passengers and cause service delays for passengers who need service.

Organized drivers and passengers can create a better, more affordable, accessible, and reliable transportation service for everyone in Maryland.

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05/25/2026

Waymo vehicles should only be allowed to operate in Baltimore City if they continue to use drivers behind the wheel.

05/23/2026

This rule change will directly affect drivers and passengers in Maryland using the MTA Mobility Call-A-Ride Program and other services.

The abusive tactic of passengers who claim their pets are ADA-recognized service animals will be reduced. These passengers may be forced to choose between their housing subsidies and having an emotional support animal or pet.

Landlords, like drivers, have been frustrated with the abuse of these regulations that damage their property and cost their businesses money via additional maintenance and cleaning costs. We hope this rule helps w**d out the passengers who make it more difficult for people with ADA-recognized service animals.

Housing officials were told to exclude emotional support animals and tighten the definition of a service animal when granting accommodations for disabled tenants.

05/07/2026

Someone has been waiting for a ride at a supermarket for over half an hour because UZURV's offer is too low. UZURV increased the offer by $0.06. This is why passengers are waiting so long for rides. It is really shameful what they are doing to passengers and drivers.

05/05/2026

In another sign that UZURV's pay reduction to drivers and cutbacks in their call centers are making their service less reliable, passengers desperate to get to appointments are calling taxi companies that participate in the MTA Mobility Call-A-Ride Program and rideshare platforms after calling UZURV and not getting a driver, or being told by UZURV that they don't have a driver, which is code for no drivers being willing to take UZURV's lower pay to do the same job, because UZURV's pay cuts to drivers and higher gas prices make other platforms more attractive options for drivers on the UZURV platform, as UZURV does not pay for wait time and underpays drivers for time-consuming rides.

04/21/2026

As a group, we coach drivers and, as independent contractors, we turn off tracking/location access on any app not in use at the moment.

We invite UZURV or any platforms to express their concerns about drivers being encouraged to restrict drivers' location access.

For any platform, not having drivers' locations is an expensive challenge, forcing platforms to increase compensation and driver incentives.

UZURV has reduced minimum compensation from around $18 per trip to around $11 per trip. UZURV drivers who are required to make a substantial financial commitment, such as vehicle ownership and insurance, based on higher compensation are being lured away by other platforms willing to offer more money, including higher fares and tips.

Meanwhile, with higher gas prices, UZURV is lowering driver compensation. We have noticed UZURV passengers expressing more frustration with their scheduled rides and will-call rides being delayed because drivers are unwilling to accept UZURV's reduced compensation, which causes delays for UZURV's passengers.

Location and motion are valuable information that no driver should give away for free; platforms use location information to determine pricing. UZURV needs to move quickly to improve passenger and driver satisfaction with their platform's slow service and unfriendly call-center agents.

UZURV needs to focus on doing a good job for both passengers and drivers in instead of hurting service with dispassionate corporate greed.

We Welcome Any Opinions. 🚖

04/20/2026

Location Permission Shutdowns Can Help Drivers Offset Higher Gas Prices And Pay Reductions.

If a large group of rideshare drivers in Baltimore or any city turns off their location permissions, it artificially creates a massive shortage of available drivers in the app’s algorithm. This scenario directly causes surging (higher) prices for passengers, as the platforms (UZURV/Uber/Lyft) detect a drastic imbalance where demand exceeds supply.

Here is how this action impacts platform pricing and operations:

1. Immediate Impact: Extreme Surge Pricing

Triggered Surge: Rideshare apps determine surge pricing by monitoring real-time driver availability (via GPS/location) and rider request density. When drivers hide their location, the algorithm sees "no drivers" in Baltimore, triggering high-surge multipliers (e.g., higher rates during rush hour or in busy areas like downtown/Fells Point).

Medical Transport Will Be Effected: Price surges on Uber and Lyft will pull the certified drivers away from the UZURV platform and other NEMT platforms. Hospitals and medical facilities will struggle to find drivers willing to take on the risk of transporting patients.

Phantom Shortage: Even if drivers are physically in the city, the system acts as if they are not, causing prices to rise to encourage more drivers to go online.

2. Impact on Passenger Experience and Behavior

Higher Fares: Passengers will pay significantly more for the same ride.
Reduced Reliability: The app may display long wait times or, in extreme cases, suggest no cars are available, prompting riders to abandon the app or wait for prices to drop.

3. Algorithmic Reaction
Rebalancing Attempt:

The algorithm tries to rebalance the market by offering higher fares to drivers, hoping to entice them to turn their location services back on to meet the high demand.
Potential to Backfire: If enough drivers remain coordinated, the system may struggle, causing sustained high prices until the "ghost" drivers log off entirely or the algorithm detects the fake shortage.

4. Broader Consequences
Loss of Revenue/Reputation:

High prices can lead to a loss of passenger trust, driving customers toward alternative transportation, such as taxis or carpooling.
Platform Efforts to Override: The platform might offer direct incentives (e.g., guaranteed earnings or bonuses) to entice drivers back online without relying on the surge mechanism.

In summary, turning off location permissions is a tactic that forces an artificial scarcity, causing prices to surge to maximum levels in the affected area.

04/17/2026

Northern Pkwy to BWI in a comfortable vehicle that can accommodate luggage, walkers, and wheelchairs costs $60 at the moment. 🚖 That's less than a haircut nowadays. Thank you for being kind and tipping your driver; gas is expensive. Just imagine what drivers need to make for a trip to Live Casino at Arundel Mills or McCormick Spice Company in Cockeysville, MD, to be profitable. Sometimes passengers wait because the platforms charge a lot (UZURV overcharges in the case of MTA Mobility Call-A-Ride passengers) but pay drivers too little for long trips.

HAVE YOU BEEN CHARGED MORE THAN THE $3 COPAY FOR A MTA CALL-A-RIDE TRIP IN MARYLAND???

04/16/2026

The legislative push to legalize and regulate fully autonomous ride-hailing services like Waymo in Maryland failed to pass during the General Assembly's 2026 session. This outcome leaves the future of driverless commercial operations in the state, specifically in Baltimore, currently uncertain.Reasons for FailureThe bill (notably Senate Bill 909 and House Bill 1295) faced significant pushback from several key groups:Labor Unions: The Teamsters and other unions representing rideshare and taxi drivers argued that the bill would lead to massive job losses and "economic destruction" for human drivers.Safety & Liability Concerns: Opponents highlighted recent incidents where autonomous vehicles (AVs) illegally passed stopped school buses or experienced software malfunctions. Lawmakers also questioned who would be held legally responsible for accidents involving driverless cars.Regulatory Timing: Some officials questioned the "rush" to legalize the technology, noting that neighboring jurisdictions like Washington, D.C. and Virginia have also delayed or stalled similar legislation.Current Status & Next StepsWaymo's Presence: Despite the legislative setback, Waymo continues to have vehicles on the streets of Baltimore (specifically in areas like Canton and Boston Street). However, these vehicles currently operate with professional human drivers behind the wheel for mapping and familiarity purposes.Advocacy Efforts: Supporters, including the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, remain committed to the technology, viewing it as a critical civil rights and equity tool for individuals with disabilities who cannot drive themselves.Future Prospects: Delegates like Nick Allen (D-Baltimore County) anticipate that the bill will be revisited in the next legislative session after further education and collaboration with community partners.The legislative push to legalize and regulate fully autonomous ride-hailing services like Waymo in Maryland failed to pass during the General Assembly's 2026 session. This outcome leaves the future of driverless commercial operations in the state, specifically in Baltimore, currently uncertain.Reasons for FailureThe bill (notably Senate Bill 909 and House Bill 1295) faced significant pushback from several key groups:Labor Unions: The Teamsters and other unions representing rideshare and taxi drivers argued that the bill would lead to massive job losses and "economic destruction" for human drivers.Safety & Liability Concerns: Opponents highlighted recent incidents where autonomous vehicles (AVs) illegally passed stopped school buses or experienced software malfunctions. Lawmakers also questioned who would be held legally responsible for accidents involving driverless cars.Regulatory Timing: Some officials questioned the "rush" to legalize the technology, noting that neighboring jurisdictions like Washington, D.C. and Virginia have also delayed or stalled similar legislation.Current Status & Next StepsWaymo's Presence: Despite the legislative setback, Waymo continues to have vehicles on the streets of Baltimore (specifically in areas like Canton and Boston Street). However, these vehicles currently operate with professional human drivers behind the wheel for mapping and familiarity purposes.Advocacy Efforts: Supporters, including the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, remain committed to the technology, viewing it as a critical civil rights and equity tool for individuals with disabilities who cannot drive themselves.Future Prospects: Delegates like Nick Allen (D-Baltimore County) anticipate that the bill will be revisited in the next legislative session after further education and collaboration with community partners.

04/11/2026

Ride-share drivers are feeling the squeeze as rising gas prices and low fares reshape their work. Some Uber and Lyft drivers say they are turning down trips....