The so-called ‘gig’ economy is a new and relatively unexplored area of work. For many it is still a rather imprecise term that is little understood. While short-term, flexible and independent work are not new to the economy, it is the digital revolution of recent years – characterised by the use of online applications and...

We perform a detailed analysis of Uber and Lyft ride-hailing driver economics by pairing results from a survey of over 1100 drivers with detailed vehicle cost information. Results show that per hour worked, median profit from driving is $3.37/hour before taxes, and 74% of drivers earn less than the minimum wage in their state.

Since its introduction in the late 2000s, there has been growing interest in sharing economy platforms. To explain outcomes, scholars have taken two main approaches—institutionalism, which focuses on employment classification and precarious labor, and technological control via algorithms. Both predict relatively similar outcomes for workers.

This report looks at the ‘new economy,’ (peer-to-peer markets) - specifically, ride-sharing services, and outlines options for regulation and taxi industry compensation.

Frontier Economics has been asked to provide an independent report examining the likely consequences of WA’s proposed regulations relating to on-demand transport. The report focuses on whether the proposed approach imposes only those burdens that can be genuinely justified as necessary and proportionate to the identified problems, and how the WA regulations are likely to...