ST. PAUL, Min. — Minnesota leaders reached an agreement on Saturday evening to keep Uber and Lyft operating in Minnesota and paying rideshare drivers more.
DFL House Majority Leader Jamie Long told the media Saturday that drivers would earn $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute, and receive more protections and benefits.
The move comes weeks before both rideshare companies vowed to leave the state because of the Minneapolis City Council ordinance which would have caused drivers to pay an even higher rate.
The deal has been a long time coming for both lawmakers and Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association (MULDA) President Eid Ali.
“I am very excited to see the outcome of the fight we have been fighting for some time, and there will be celebrations and joys, happy faces and smiles,” Ali said.
Richard Vogel / AP
During the celebration, Ali said there is some lingering disappointment for drivers.
“It was a little disappointing that a Democratic state figured out a way to destroy that work,” he said.
While an Uber spokesperson welcomed the agreement, he also warned that “the coming price increases could hurt both riders and drivers.”
It is still unclear what the new costs for riders could be, Ali said drivers and riders now have more power More rideshare options are coming to market.
“People will have choices and better services, and drivers will also have a way to work with companies that treat them fairly,” he said.
Ali says the fight isn’t over yet. He hopes for an even better rate for drivers in the near future.
“MULDA will be actively present and flexing its muscles,” he said.
