Their future remains uncertain, but what happens if they are forced to shut down?
What apps would move into their space?
Users of the app effectively become their own personal shopping small-business owner.
Users pay a setup fee and then enter into a monthly subscription option.
Something that Uber and Lyft say they cannot offer if they have to abide by AB5 regulations.
Dumpling now wants to offer Dumpling Drive to give Uber and Lyft drivers an alternate business opportunity.
The only issue here, is that drivers must build up their own client base.
Something that Uber and Lyft have avoided at all costs.
What these two cases really show is that Uber and Lyft have plenty of scope to reinvent themselves.
It doesnt mean that theyre doomed to failure, in fact, far from it.
Rather than continuing to fight legislation just because it isnt happening on their terms.
The whole situation now is just steeped in bucket loads of irony.
Being in pursuit of disruption is no excuse for flaunting laws and operating a morally questionable business.
Its not like the companies haventhad plenty of time to realign their businessesand fall-in with new regulations either.
But the issue is what it would cost them to make all drivers employees.
Its certainly not the sparkling sharing or gig-economy we were promised.
The companies becoming nothing more than specialist software houses.
Its kind of doing that already, though.
Last month, Uberbought a specialist UK software firm that services the taxi industry.
This gave it access to over 100 more locations in the nation without even having to recruit more drivers.
It alsostruck a partnership with Thames Clippers, a boat taxi service that runs on Londons River Thames.
But it seems whatever happens, the companies that were once the disruptors, are now the disrupted.
They should just become plain old taxi firms and get over themselves.
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Story byMatthew Beedham
Matthew is the editor of SHIFT.
He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.
