Ride-hailing services, already drowning in sexual assault allegations, now have another strike against them.
A new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) highlights the negative impact of platforms like Uber and Lyft on our environment.
Sure, it’s an attractive option for travelers without access to a vehicle. But ride hailing as a service actually increases pollution and congestion; it encourages folks to hop into a car rather than taking public transportation.
“As the climate crisis becomes even more urgent, it is more important than ever for the ride-hailing industry to contribute to a lower carbon, more sustainable transportation system,” according to the report, published this week.
Nonprofit science advocacy group UCS found that, on average, ride hailing trips result in an estimated 69 percent more climate pollution than those they displace.
It’s easy to forget that taking a taxi is not the same as carpooling: Most people call a Lyft or yellow cab to get them—and them alone—from point A to point B. Just think of the climate repercussions if everyone individually Ubered to the office each day.
Even a pooled trip, during which multiple passengers share one car, emits nearly the same amount as a private car ride, the study said. Currently only 15 percent of all U.S. ride-hailing trips are shared.
“Fortunately, the industry can implement several strategies to address the negative impacts of ride-hailing and contribute to a low-carbon transportation future,” UCS said.
“It must move rapidly to electrify vehicles, increase pooled trips, and complement mass transit,” the firm urged. “Governments can support those efforts with smart policies that reduce pollution and support efficient, equitable transportation systems.”
Individuals, meanwhile, can “make informed choices” to reduce congestion and pollution, and encourage companies to offer cleaner options.
Researchers analyzed public data from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington; they incorporated findings from other papers, including a study commissioned last year by Uber and Lyft.
More on Geek.com:
- More Americans Use Ride-Hailing Apps for Travel, Research Says
- Ride-Hailing App Vehicles Abandoned in China
- Uber Reveals the Most Bizarre Items Forgotten by Riders
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