title: Modern slavery
lang: en

> Contrary to the story Uber, Lyft, and their peers like to tell, ride-hailing services are not reducing traffic in American cities. Nor will they, even if they meet their goals for converting solo passenger trips to shared rides, according to [new research from transportation analyst Bruce Schaller](http://www.schallerconsult.com/rideservices/automobility.htm).
>
> While ride-hailing companies add options for people to get around without owning a personal car, Schaller shows that the overall effect of their growth has been to jam more motor vehicle traffic onto crowded city streets. Also known as transportation network companies, or TNCs, Uber and Lyft haven’t just supplanted taxis, they’ve more than tripled total for-hire vehicle mileage in the span of a few short years.
> 
> <cite>*[Uber and Lyft Are Overwhelming Urban Streets, and Cities Need to Act Fast](https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2018/07/25/uber-and-lyft-are-overwhelming-urban-streets-and-cities-need-to-act-fast/)* ([cache](/david/cache/2aabcf97c806acdfd7ccaa8b78c56c9d/))</cite>

There is a lot to say about new ways to be served by slaves. Last week, I went to an Italian caterer and I realized I was the only one in the line waiting for a food I would actually eat myself. Other meals were delivered by car with a unique person in it. 

*Depressing.*