Weekly Roundup: Uber Launches ‘Send a Ride’ Feature, Expands Uber Share for Airports, Holiday Travel Options

Uber rolls out new gifting features and expands Uber Share for Airports. Two-thirds of full-time workers turn to gig work for extra cash. Lyft CEO reveals he initially called the top job a “ridiculous idea” before changing his mind. Federal court hands Grubhub a major loss in antitrust battle while Uber Eats and Postmates dodge. We break it all down for you.

Uber Launches ‘Send a Ride’ Feature, Expands Uber Share for Airports, Holiday Travel Options

SOURCE – Engadget

Uber has introduced “Send a Ride,” allowing users to purchase and gift rides through the app with spending limits (such as two rides for up to $50 each). Passengers can use the Uber app to share a link that applies credit to the recipient’s account. The company is also expanding Uber Share for Airports to over 50 airports globally, including JFK, LaGuardia, and Orlando International Airport, and launching Uber Ski for winter sports travelers at nearly 40 North American and European mountain resorts.

• Uber Ski offers UberXL for up to two guests with gear or UberXXL for up to four guests with gear, and will sell Epic Pass tickets for Vail Resorts directly in-app, as the company diversifies beyond rideshare and into experiences.

• The timing targets heavier than usual holiday travel season demand and aims to simplify transportation coordination for families.

• Another new product announcement: Starting December, Uber Eats will add free celebrity video messages from stars like Megan Thee Stallion and the Jonas Brothers to gift orders.

Two-Thirds of Full-Time Workers Turning to Gig Work for Holiday Income

SOURCE – HR Dive

More than a third of full-time workers are already earning extra income for holiday expenses, with another 29% planning to do so, according to a ResumeTemplates.com survey of 1,000 workers, with ride-sharing listed among the top gig options workers are pursuing. Nearly half of those seeking additional income are working more hours at their primary job, while others turn to delivery services, rideshare, seasonal retail, and freelancing.

• The seasonal influx could increase driver supply on platforms during an already high-demand period, potentially affecting earnings and trip availability for existing drivers.

• Industry data shows most rideshare drivers work part-time, with studies indicating the average Uber driver works approximately 17 hours per week, suggesting rideshare platforms already rely heavily on supplemental income earners rather than full-time drivers.

Lyft CEO David Risher Initially Rejected Top Job Before Valentine’s Day Conversation Changed His Mind

SOURCE – Fortune

Lyft CEO David Risher initially turned down the position when board chair Sean Aggarwal offered the role on Valentine’s Day 2023, calling it “ridiculous.” The former Amazon SVP and Microsoft executive was focused on Worldreader, the global ed-tech nonprofit he cofounded in 2009. After an hour-long walk and conversation with his wife that evening, he reconsidered and completed a six-week application process including presenting a 100-day plan to every board member, becoming CEO in April 2023.

• Risher’s initial plan included laying off approximately 1,100 employees and complete team restructuring, with some board members calling his strategy “crazy.”

• Under Risher, Lyft reported record Q3 2025 gross bookings of $4.8 billion (up 16% year-over-year), all-time high revenue of $1.7 billion, and 28.7 million active riders.

• Risher brought “customer obsession” from his time under Jeff Bezos at Amazon, which became the centerpiece of his turnaround strategy.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Grubhub Must Face Antitrust Lawsuit, While Postmates and Uber Eats Win Arbitration

SOURCE – Courthouse News

The Second Circuit ruled Thursday that Grubhub cannot force a 2020 antitrust class action into arbitration and must face customers in federal court, while Postmates and Uber Eats won their arbitration bids. The lawsuit alleges all three platforms required restaurants to avoid offering lower prices to customers ordering directly, artificially inflating delivery prices. The court found Grubhub’s arbitration agreement doesn’t cover diners’ antitrust claims about access to other platforms and restaurants.

• The panel reversed the lower court for Postmates and Uber Eats because their agreements delegate arbitrability questions to the arbitrator, and plaintiffs failed to challenge that delegation provision as unconscionable.

• Judge Myrna Pérez wrote that “Grubhub barely threaded the needle” through precedents on reasonable notice of arbitration agreements in online interfaces.

• The split decision shows how different terms of service language leads to dramatically different outcomes, with Grubhub facing costly court battles while competitors avoid public litigation.

Uber and Lyft CEOs Report Growing Demand in Robotaxi Markets Despite Unprofitable Operations

SOURCE – Business Insider

Both Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft CEO David Risher told investors during Q3 earnings calls that markets with robotaxi deployments show faster rideshare growth than comparable markets without autonomous vehicles. Khosrowshahi noted Uber’s largest Waymo operations in Austin and Atlanta are growing faster than other U.S. markets, while Risher said “we like the economics of AVs a lot.”

• However, both acknowledged autonomous vehicles remain unprofitable and require massive investments, with Lyft spending $10-15 million on a Nashville Waymo maintenance depot.

• Both executives emphasized the future remains hybrid because autonomous vehicle supply can’t meet demand, and human drivers provide their own cars, reducing platform asset requirements.

• Increased demand may stem from novelty appeal, human drivers handling longer trips, and 24/7 availability expanding market access.

Did This Uber Driver Really Try to Scam a Passenger Through a Cancellation Fee?

SOURCE – YouTube Shorts

There is a video going viral right now, posted by a content creator online where he claims an Uber driver was trying to scam him by waiting to drive over to pick him up. The content creator said the driver was deactivated by this scam. Learn more by watching the YouTube Short!

QUICK HITS

• Uber expanded its “Women Preferences” pilot program to Pittsburgh and 25 other cities, allowing female and nonbinary riders to request women drivers. – Axios

• Lyft signed a multiyear, high-seven-figure partnership with Oak View Group to become the official rideshare partner for more than 75 sports and entertainment venues, including Madison Square Garden, UBS Arena, and American Airlines Center. – Digital Music News

• A two-year Circuit rideshare pilot program in Washington DC’s Southwest neighborhood found that 38% of on-demand rides originated or ended at a grocery store, highlighting transportation as a critical barrier to food access in areas with limited walkability. – Planetizen

• Want to learn more about the robotaxi industry? Subscribe to The Driverless Digest, our new newsletter and podcast dedicated to the future of autonomous vehicles.

Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content

Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos:

• RSG 267 – Dawood Mian from Auto Marketplace on NYC Ridehail Market, TLC , Waymos, etc.

• Uber Drivers Now Have More Time!

• Uber’s New Luggage Rule

• The TRUTH About Lyft Earnings (And Why Most Drivers Don’t Get It)

• Make sure you Subscribe so you don’t miss out on future conversations and interviews!

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe now for free so you never miss an update…

Never miss a Rideshare Guy update…

Twitter/X │ YouTube │ Instagram │Facebook │ LinkedIn │ TikTok