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Uber is opposing a new Colorado law that requires ride-hailing companies to disclose detailed pricing and payment information for every trip, a move that could significantly impact how drivers understand their earnings and how riders perceive fare breakdowns.
The Transportation Network Company Transparency Act, set to take effect next month, mandates that companies disclose the total cost riders pay and how much drivers earn after each ride.
Uber, however, argues the requirements are misleading and overly burdensome. At a hearing Friday in federal court, the company sought an injunction to block the law, claiming it forces Uber to provide incomplete information that could confuse both riders and drivers.
Transparency or misrepresentation?
Colorado officials believe the law promotes fairness by enabling drivers and riders to make better-informed decisions. Under the new rules, riders would see the breakdown of what they paid, and drivers would be shown their earnings for the trip. Proponents of the law say this transparency encourages competition and could even increase tipping rates for drivers.
Uber contends, however, that the law fails to account for additonal operational costs like government fees and insurance. For instance, on a $14.38 trip where the driver earns $6.06, Uber argues the omission of additional fees and expenses creates a false impression that the company pockets a disproportionate share.
“Transparency without context can mislead,” said Uber attorney Michael Gottlieb, arguing that the law doesn’t require comprehensive disclosures.
Driver earnings
Uber’s senior product operations specialist, Qihui Liang, testified that even minor disruptions to the app could harm drivers financially. She cited a past technical glitch that caused a three-second delay for tipping, leading to a significant drop in tips across the platform.
To comply with Colorado’s requirements, Uber has already invested 1,500 engineering hours in updating its app but expressed concerns about potential glitches or delays in meeting the deadline.
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State attorney Peter Baumann, representing Colorado, defended the law, emphasizing its role in fostering transparency and competition in the rideshare market. “This case is about information and markets,” Baumann said. “Uber benefits from an opaque marketplace, and these disclosures aim to change that.”
The law has sparked debate among drivers, some of whom welcome the transparency while others fear it may negatively affect their earnings if riders perceive the pay breakdown unfairly.
US District Judge Daniel Domenico acknowledged the case's complexities, noting the unusual requirement for post-transaction disclosures. He questioned how the law aligns with its stated goal of informing riders and drivers when the information comes only after the ride is completed.
Promising a decision by next week, Domenico described the case as both “interesting and complicated.”
If the law goes into effect as planned, Uber and other companies may face fines of up to $1,000 per violation for failing to comply, a significant concern for an industry reliant on seamless app functionality and customer trust.
