LUBBOCK, Texas -
Lubbock City Council took its final vote on changes to the local transportation ordinance. The measure passed. It includes regulating ride-hailing services, like Uber.
To one Uber driver, Thursday's vote was about more than just a paycheck.
Isaac A. started as a well-established employee in a multinational media company.
"After working with this company for almost ten years, I realized I wanted a change in my life," Isaac said. While looking for his next career move, he saw Uber was working on expanding to Lubbock and needed drivers. "I signed up to drive about a month after they had launched in Lubbock."
Isaac said he soon realized he earned more as an Uber driver than in his previous job. His temporary employment became permanent.
"It's my livelihood, it's my bread and butter," he said. "I used to work with a salary at my previous employer and no matter how many hours I used to end up working at the end of the week, I used to get paid the same. With Uber I can work as much as I'd like and I can actually call all my shots. I have never been my own boss. With Uber, I can be my own boss. I get to work on my own terms and that's something that i have never experienced in my entire life. As a father of four and a husband, I think that's worth more money at this point to have flexibility."
Isaac said getting the green light from council members was the right choice for the Lubbock community. He said the competition it provokes with other ride sharing companies is what our country is all about.
"It will not just provide part-time, side gigs for some drivers. It will provide full-time employment for some of us, like me," Isaac said. "To have competition is the essence of who we are in America. If we can continue to compete, we can have much better service for the consumer."
