Uber Drivers Hold Strike Over Discounts

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Dozens of Uber drivers took to the streets Friday in protest, saying the ride sharing company is dropping its rates so low that they can't make a buck.

The ride share app Uber is a quicker cheaper version of a taxi. You download their app and you can see where an Uber driver is and within minutes you can get a lift.

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The company is now offering 20 percent off to make its rates competitive but 1200 drivers in Miami said the cuts are hurting them. With that discount and other cuts put into place, not only can they not make a living they also can't make enough money to maintain their cars putting their customers at risk.

"We are demanding that Uber return their rates to original price when they first came to Florida..to $1.75 a mile," said Uber Driver John Busto.

They said they can't keep their cars running safely because they don't have enough money.

Now, the drivers want to be regulated by the county.

Despite repeated tries, Uber has not gotten the okay across the board by the county to legally be in Miami-Dade but some with the mayor's office are saying they want them regulated too.

Uber also said they would like to see regulation.

"We welcome regulation. With ridesharing it is a brand-new model. With this, we need new rules in place," said Uber Spokesperson Taylor Bennett.

He also said, when there is a discount in place, ridership goes up. It's a model they've used in the 200 cities they are currently in.

Uber said when there is a 20 percent discount, ridership is up 60 percent and drivers make 30 percent more.

The drivers said that's not true.

They said Uber advertises that you make $15 dollars an hour but with all the cuts and discounts in place, they make about $6 to $8 dollars an hour.

The Uber debate has been brought in front of the county commission more than once. Last time it died in committee. The two holdouts were Commissioners Bruno Barreiro and Dennis Moss.

CBS4's Cynthia Demos reached out to them for comment but did not hear back.

It can be brought up for discussion again. If everything goes smoothly they could be approved and regulation could be in place this spring at the earliest.  If everything falls into place in the meantime Uber drivers said  they will strike every Friday until something is done.