'Pushed to the brink' | Uber, Lyft drivers take to the street to protest 'lockout' policies reportedly causing 'millions' in lost pay

Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers brought traffic to a standstill in Manhattan on Wednesday as they protested against the companies' use of "lockouts," a practice that prevents them from accepting rides for extended periods.

The New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), which organized the demonstration, claims over 1,000 drivers took part, lining 11th Avenue from 30th Street to 48th Street. Drivers, honking their horns in unison, demanded fair pay and the right to work without disruptions caused by the rideshare giants.

The protest is the latest in a series of actions by rideshare drivers in New York City, who have been pushing for better working conditions and wages. Since the summer, Uber and Lyft drivers have reported been unable to access the apps for hours or even days, resulting in significant income loss. NYTWA argues that the lockouts are a deliberate move by the companies to manipulate the city’s minimum pay regulations.

Central to the dispute is the "utilization rate," a metric that tracks the amount of time drivers spend with passengers versus their total logged-in time on the app. By artificially inflating this rate through lockouts, Uber and Lyft can lower the per-minute and per-mile rates they are required to pay under city law.