A partnership between Uber New Jersey and the New Jersey NAACP this week will allow the organizations to jointly recruit 3,000 new drivers from low income communities throughout the state sometime mid-2016.
Through the partnership, Uber will hold events to educate drivers about the perks of partnering with the transportation network company and the “flexible economic opportunities” available to them.
The move was met with approval by Senator Cory Booker, who told New Jersey 101.5 that giving such opportunities to low-income communities would help families while supporting the region’s economy.
The partnership will be primarily focused on counties where the median income level is below the state’s median income. The participating counties are: Camden County, Cumberland County, Salem County, Cape May County, Atlantic County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Union County, Hudson County, Essex County, and Warren County.
Transportation network companies such as Uber are currently being hounded by local officials and criticized by taxi companies across the country for their lack of insurance and refusal to be regulated; Uber’s New Jersey operations are not above such reproach.
“Uber has constantly fought against being included in the New Jersey regulatory system,” said state Senator Joseph Pennacchio to New Jersey 101.5, accusing the company of “stonewalling” any efforts to undergo regulation.
But not all local governments are against transportation network companies; both Evesham Township and Voorhees partnered with Uber to provide people free rides home from bars and other similar establishments in an effort to curb drunk driving incidents.
