Fortune reports that a New York City Uber driver denied service to a woman in labor in November.
The woman in question, who Fortune kept anonymous, reportedly vomited on the sidewalk in view of the Uber driver they called to take them to the hospital so she could deliver her baby.
The then driver refused to allow the couple into his car. His reasoning? The cost of cleanup and lost hours if she made a mess of his vehicle. Fortune elaborates:
He informed them he would lose $1,000 a day if Lee’s wife became sick in the car and, what’s more, told them no other driver would accept a woman in labor as a passenger.
The driver ended up charging the woman $13 for a ride that didn't happen, Fortune reports.
It is illegal for taxi drivers to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy in New York – a law that likely saves mothers throughout the city from delivering onto gum-spotted sidewalks.
The couple summoned another Uber driver, who took them to the hospital where the baby was born.
In a statement to Tech Insider, an Uber representative acknowledged and apologized for the incident:
Denying service to a passenger in labor is unacceptable: it goes against our code of conduct and the standard of service our riders rely on. We extend our deepest apologies to both riders and have taken action to respond to this complaint. We are glad that the rider’s next driver was professional and courteous. As always, we will continue to ensure that all riders and drivers understand and the shared standard of respect, accountability, and courtesy for everyone in the Uber community.
This statement reflects something about Uber as a company. Even as it replaces traditional taxi companies, Uber operates as a loose platform – or "community" – for connecting independent drivers to customers.
Drivers are held in theory to a code of conduct, which states, "It is unacceptable to refuse to provide or accept services based on a person’s race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, age or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law."
But there are limits to that code's reach.
For example, in New York City, Uber has no power to prevent a licensed driver they've suspended from driving for competitor Lyft. Under the taxi monopolies of the past, such a switch might not have been so simple.
That's why, in the event of illegal discrimination by a driver, Uber suggests New Yorkers call 311. That way, hopefully, the city can revoke the driver's taxi license.
UPDATE 1:44 PM EST:
On at least one previous occaision, Uber paid for a New York driver's car cleaning after a woman gave birth in his vehicle. This falls in line with the city's official policy, which states, "The operator must reimburse the driver within seven days for all costs involved in running the taxi."
