A rideshare tax war is heating up in Philadelphia
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Uber signage on a vehicle. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty
Uber riders in Philly may notice a new item at the top of their receipt: Info about how Mayor Cherelle Parker's new tax proposal on rideshares will "make your trips more expensive."
Why it matters: It's the latest move from Uber in its growing campaign to derail Parker's tax plan.
⚠️ State of play: The yellow-highlighted banner atop Uber receipts began popping up last week, a company spokesperson tells Axios.
- The banner includes a link to an Uber blog post explaining that Parker's $1-per-ride fee on rideshares in the city would be passed onto customers.
Uber also sent an email blast to riders last week, calling on them to contact the mayor and city legislators to share their concerns about the new fee.
- As of Monday, nearly 6,000 "notes of opposition" were sent to the city in response to that email blast, an Uber spokesperson tells Axios.
Catch up quick: Parker wants to use the fee to help pay for the school district's massive budget gap and other programs.
- The Parker administration still needs city legislators to sign off.
The other side: Leah Uko, a spokesperson for the Parker administration, tells Axios that "Uber has the ability to pay this tax for its riders."
- She added: "Investing in Philadelphia schoolchildren is vital to our city's present and future."
- "The tax revenues and actions by the School District will help save 240 school jobs and preserve our students' progress. Our kids are worth it."
What we're watching: City Council is holding its first public town hall on Parker's budget tonight from 6-8pm at the Kroc Center in North Philly. It could be an early gauge of public sentiment on the rideshare fee.
- Uber is calling on people to attend the town hall to speak out, per the company's website.