A research study that looked at differences in black and white riders’ wait and cancellation times using UberX and Lyft also found differences in distance and sometimes cost for women and for African-American riders, USA Today reports.
Both women and African-Americans had slightly longer—and therefore sometimes more expensive—rides, according to the research published this morning.
There was also a small increase in the distance for each route traveled by all riders when surge-pricing (increased rates due to higher demand) was in effect. Trips tended to last longer when the passenger was paying more than the standard rate.
Researchers used African-American and white, male and female university students to study the behavior of drivers for UberX and Lyft in Seattle and Boston. The study appears on the National Bureau of Economic Research website.
In Seattle, they found the mean travel time for African-American UberX riders was about 8% longer in terms of time than the rides given white riders, even though the distances were not significantly different. A possible explanation given by Christopher Knittel, a professor of economics at MIT and one of the study authors, is that drivers and black passengers did not recognize one another as quickly at the pickup points, as Uber shares names, but not photos, with drivers.
It appeared that only a small proportion of drivers engaged in this behavior, the authors say. Women hailing rides in Boston were driven on average 6% further than men, though no similar difference was found for African-American travelers.
