Uber offering shuttles, busses for FIFA in US
In a move sure to distress beleaguered drivers, Uber will offer shuttle rides as an option for soccer fans watching this year’s FIFA World Cup games at four match venues in the United States. Toronto is not among the venue cities listed in a May 29th report by Engaget. Uber is offering 50-passenger shuttle busses and 14-seater vans (Uber Max) to transport fans to and from select 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
Uber will run shuttle services between hotels and stadiums in New York-New Jersey, Boston, Miami and Dallas. Shuttles to and from the stadium will only be available in Miami; in the other three locations, the company will only be offering shuttles to leave the venues after the games.
“Drivers getting screwed and continue to take it,” driver Michael Alan commented online. “Why would things change? None of these gig companies care about you. They need you poor.”
“Every driver should stay home. I will,” says Michael Bonanno.
Customers will have to book a seat in advance, even if it’s on the day of the match and pay $45 for a ride, while it’s $49 for the New York-New Jersey venue.
Engaget did not report on any of the procurement policies or the bidding process which allowed Uber to obtain authority to run shuttles to municipal arenas. In Miami, for example, Miami allows Uber to operate its high-capacity shuttle service because it is “an established commercial partnership designed to ease severe gridlock…rather than launching a new, unvetted program for the World Cup, local authorities and stadium officials are expanding a pre-existing infrastructure.”
