Michael Wolfe, Executive Director of Drive Forward Seattle, said in an op-ed with Flexible Work News that rideshare drivers are experiencing decreased earnings and fewer trip opportunities following the implementation of pay regulations in Seattle and Washington State.
"In 2021 the City of Seattle adopted the same scheme being put forth in SB1166, and in 2023 Washington State also adopted it," said Wolfe. "Well, our members now complain of how little their earnings are and how few trips are available. We knew the increases in pay were so dramatic that it would price out most consumers from using rideshare as a reasonably priced alternative to driving or transit."
According to the op-ed, Oregon’s proposed Senate Bill 1166 (SB1166) mirrors a Seattle and King County policy that led to unintended economic harm for drivers. Although per-trip pay increased under the Washington scheme, a 42% drop in ride volume meant many drivers earned significantly less overall when accounting for inflation and reduced trip availability. The group argues that SB1166, while offering valuable benefits like paid sick leave and deactivation protections, could repeat the same mistakes by inflating wages to unsustainable levels that reduce consumer use and driver opportunity.
Medium reported that Seattle’s PayUp ordinance, which mandates per-minute and per-mile pay for delivery couriers, has triggered higher costs for consumers and a drop in work opportunities, according to Uber. The company reports that fees rose by nearly $5 per order, leading to a 30% decline in delivery volume and a 17% decrease in active couriers. Despite higher per-trip earnings, Uber says total driver income has fallen due to reduced demand, blaming the law’s inflated cost assumptions for undermining the workers it intended to help.
Camden Cao, a 23-year-old Uber Eats driver who overcame homelessness through gig work, said the Seattle "PayUp Ordinance" ultimately hurt drivers like him. Cao used Uber Eats as a crucial stepping stone to secure housing and stability. He says the Seattle law significantly reduced his income and threatened his ability to maintain housing. The decrease in available orders, particularly during peak hours, has left many drivers with fewer opportunities, potentially forcing them back into financial insecurity.
Wolfe is the Executive Director of Drive Forward. He has been a part-time rideshare driver since 2015 and previously served on the organization’s Member Advisory Committee. He brings over 15 years of experience in Travel and Hospitality Management, along with more than a decade of community organizing and issue advocacy.