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Lyft emails drivers, riders: ‘We’re leaving Minneapolis’
The messages confirm Lyft plans to stop operating in the city when a new rideshare pay ordinance takes effect on May 1.
MINNEAPOLIS — Rideshare giant Lyft has started sending communications to its drivers and customers in the Twin Cities area that the company will cease operations in Minneapolis on May 1, after the Minneapolis City Council voted to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of a rideshare pay ordinance.
In an email to drivers, titled “We’re leaving Minneapolis,” Lyft claims the ordinance “would make rides on the Lyft platform unaffordable for the majority of Minneapolis residents,” adding that drivers would ultimately earn less while creating an “unsustainable situation” for riders.
“As a result, starting May 1, Lyft will be forced to stop offering rides in Minneapolis and you will no longer be able to give rides with Lyft that start or end in the city,” the email to drivers said.
A similarly worded email is being sent to Minneapolis area users of the Lyft app who book rides on the platform.
Uber has also said it will cease operations in the entire metro area starting May 1, including MSP International Airport.
“We are disappointed the Council chose to ignore the data and kick Uber out of the Twin Cities, putting 10,000 people out of work and leaving many stranded,” said Josh Gold, senior director of public affairs at Uber, in a statement. “But we know that by working together with all stakeholders – drivers, riders and state leaders – we can achieve comprehensive statewide legislation that guarantees drivers a fair minimum wage, protects their independence and keeps rideshare affordable.”
The Minneapolis ordinance requires Transportation Network Companies (TNC) like Uber and Lyft to pay drivers rates equivalent to the city’s current $15.57 per hour minimum wage.
Frey vetoed the ordinance when it was first passed, expressing frustration with the council for scheduling the vote just one day before the release of a report from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry studying pay rates for rideshare drivers.
The council voted 10-3 on Thursday to override the veto.
“Drivers are human beings with families and they deserve dignified minimum wages like all other workers,” said ordinance co-author, council member Jamal Osman after the override vote. “Today’s vote showed Uber, Lyft, and the Mayor that the Minneapolis City Council will not allow the East African community, or any community, to be exploited for cheap labor.”
The Minnesota Legislature is also currently working on a bill that would set a minimum wage for TNC drivers statewide.
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Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
