City Cast Denver logo
February 8, 2023

$5.49 per hour?! Gig Drivers Speak Out

City Cast Denver

$5.49 per hour?! Gig Drivers Speak Out

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

When you pay $80 for an Uber to the airport, how much of that fare goes to the driver? A recent survey of local gig drivers showed that they’re only making an average of $5.49 per hour. That data has brought the debate over gig work back to the state legislature, where some lawmakers are pushing a new “Gig Worker Transparency” bill to require these tech platforms to disclose information about payments to both the drivers and their customers. Today host Bree Davies talks with Uber and Lyft drivers Munir Abuzawida, Michael Machar, and Zaw Tun to get a full picture of what it’s like to work in the gig economy in Denver in 2023. 


For more from Michael Machar on their recent advocacy work, here’s an op-ed he recently published with the Colorado Sun. Michael, Munir, and Zaw have been organizing with other drivers through a new organization called Colorado Independent Drivers United


For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866


Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver


Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬


Learn more about the sponsor of this episode:


Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 12

Kyle Clark on GOP Exorcisms, CD-8 Switcheroos, and Tornado False Alarms

Can Victor Marx conduct exorcisms over the phone? The ordained minister and front-runner in the GOP primary for governor says so, and mad...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 11

Senator Michael Bennet on Housing Affordability, Redistricting, and How He’s Different From Gov. Polis

Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in congress since 2009. Now, the U.S. senator is running for governor – and is in the midst of a...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 10

Attorney General Phil Weiser on Data Center Moratoriums, Bike Lanes, and His Run for Governor

Governor Jared Polis is serving his final term and the Democratic primary race to replace him is heated. Attorney General Phil Weiser joi...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 9

UMS or Blucifer's First Rodeo? Plus, Bike Fest, CD1 Primary Challengers, and More From the Mailbag!

Host Bree Davies and Producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear listeners’ thoughts on everything fr...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 8

Where Denver Falls in the Harm Reduction Conversation

When it comes to numbers, the story of drug-related overdose deaths in America is simple. They increased slowly and steadily through the...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 7

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Denver

Denver recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city po...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 5

Council Loses a Progressive Champion, Gay Bar Turtle Drama, and the Summer Mosquito Forecast

The Colfax staple Charlie’s got into trouble this week after a video posted to social media showed six little turtles “racing” on the leg...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 4

Wanda James on Working for Barack Obama, Being Censured, and Running for Congress

Diana DeGette has been representing Denver in congress since 1997, winning reelection 14 times in nearly 30 years on the job. The 1st Con...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 3

Melat Kiros on Money in Politics, Antisemitism, and Her Run for Congress

Could Denver see a new face in congress in 2026? Diana DeGette has held the 1st Congressional District seat for nearly thirty years, hand...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 2

Will the Broncos Stadium Actually Get Built By 2030? Plus, AI Backlash in Englewood and Which Congressperson Snubbed Us?

Last week the City of Englewood shared a video about the work they are doing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the municipality was...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art