This Is Where We Are: A System on the Brink

I’ve been noticing for a while now how the rideshare industry, which once promised convenience and freedom, has been steadily changing. What started as a game-changer—offering flexibility for drivers and affordability for passengers—has become something else entirely. Rising fares, inconsistent service, and safety concerns that no five-star rating can fix have become too familiar.

Passengers complain about higher prices and longer wait times, but drivers feel it too—except on the other end, where the pay no longer justifies the effort. Surge pricing benefits the companies more than the workers, while unpredictable algorithms control earnings with little transparency. For every smooth ride, there’s a last-minute cancellation, a story of misconduct, or a reminder of how little we, as drivers, are actually earning after expenses.

It’s clear the system has been on shaky ground for some time. Protests, lawsuits, driver strikes, and mounting controversies only add to the uncertainty. While the companies continue pushing for automation and expansion, the core issues—fair pay, driver treatment, passenger safety—remain largely unresolved.

So I have to ask myself: Is it still worth it? How much longer can this all go on? And, more importantly, how much further will I go?

I’ve decided that I won’t.

For now, I’m going offline to step back and truly evaluate the state of rideshare—not just from behind the wheel, but from a broader perspective. Because if the road ahead isn’t leading anywhere worth going, it might be time to change direction.