Ditch the Hassle

Share the Ride

Group Five:
Paul Campion - ​pcampion@luc.edu
Juhi Desai - ​jdesai1@luc.edu
Jacqueline Morel - ​jmorel@luc.edu
Mary Wright- ​mwright7@luc.edu

Submitted To:
Loyola University Chicago
ENVS 283 02E Fall 2018
Prof. Anu Krishnaswamy

Emailed To:
akrishnaswamy@luc.edu
anuk@alumni.harvard.edu
 Share the Ride, 1

Table of Contents

Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………... 2

Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………………... 3

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………. 3

UN Sustainability Goals Background……………………………………………………. 4

Ridesharing Background………………….……………………………………………... 5

Methodology……….…………………………………………………………………...... 13

Data Gathered and Analysis..……………………………………………………………. 15

Recommendations………….……………………………………………………………. 20

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………. 22

References………………………………………………………………………………. 24

Appendix………………………………………………………………………………... 26
 Share the Ride, 2

Executive Summary

‘Ditch the Hassle, Share the Ride’ is an analysis of the sharing economy in the

transportation sector, specifically Uber and Lyft. The United States transportation sector is

directly linked to climate change as one of its top intensifiers. In the United States, the

transportation sector now accounts for the greatest share of greenhouse gas emissions at 28.5

percent (US EPA, 2016). Counter to popular belief, ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft

have increased both congestion and vehicle miles driven in cities.

The goal of our project is understand how the sharing economy has transformed urban

transportation and assess its impact on sustainability. To assess the impact of the sharing

economy, we collected our data in the form of secondary research, a PESTEL analysis, and

primary research, surveys and interviews of both ridesharing users and drivers. Our primary

research results demonstrated that ridesharing has become a fact of life for young people altering

their transportation related decisions. From the data that was gathered, we developed a proposed

solution: the Transportation Hierarchy. This solution is a decision making support tool which

allows users to weigh various transportation methods based on their social, environmental,and

economic impact. The recommendations of the hierarchy, ranking from most sustainable to least

sustainable are: walk/bike, public transportation, rideshare, and solo drive. Our results are

intended to be utilized by everyday persons navigating the infrastructure options that are

available to them. If this solution were to be followed by the majority of urban dwellers, we

believe both congestion and greenhouse gases would decrease in cities, health and wellbeing

would increase, and consumers would benefit economically.

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Acknowledgements

Our team would like to thank all of our survey participants and the Uber drivers who

were willing to speak to us as part of our primary research. Their narratives enabled more

thorough research and better insights to support our paper.

Without the mentorship of Professor Kris, our team would have not been able to create

this report. In and outside of the classroom, her interest in our topic sparked our creativity and

guided us to a more thorough understanding of our topic.

Introduction

The goal of our project is understand how the sharing economy has transformed urban

transportation and assess its impact on sustainability. We will accomplish this goal through

secondary research (principally a PESTEL analysis) and primary research (principally a survey).

We explored the transportation subset of the sharing economy, known as ridesharing.

Ridesharing is a means of transportation where multiple people use the same vehicle, such as a

car, bus, or train, to arrive at a similar definition (Ridester, 2017). Although ridesharing has

existed for over a century through the usage of trains and airplanes, public transportation and

apps, like Uber and Lyft, have increased its popularity.

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SWOT analysis of group five at the start of conducting the project:

Strengths: Weaknesses:
● Organized members ● Schedules do not line up
● Timeliness ● In previous projects, some members
● Personal connection to project topic tend to pick up other’s slack
● Students with university resources ○ Adds to group stress
● Previous experience with similar ● Busy people
research projects
● All excited by subject matter
● Members seem to get along and agree
● Quick response times/ease of
communication

Opportunities: Threats:
● Get to watch other groups present first ● Time limit
● Live in a large city, good for primary ● Small group
research ● Limited data/difficult to retrieve

UN Sustainability Goals Background

The UN Sustainable development Goals Our Project Will Fulfill are:

Our project works towards three of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals:

11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12) Responsible Consumption and Production, and 9)

Decent Work and Economic Growth. By developing a better understanding of the pitfalls and

opportunities of the transportation sharing economy, we hope to offer insights that can inform

the actualization of these three goals, particularly on a local level in Chicago.

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The Expected Positive Impact of the Project on Stakeholders…

By gathering unbiased information on the transportation sharing economy, stakeholders

will have access to our paper that will the sustainability of the transportation sharing economy.

Readers will be prompted to reflect upon their own transportation habits. We hope that by

putting together a resource that promotes personal reflection, stakeholders will be inspired to

take action.

Ridesharing Background

Economic:

As the sharing economy grows, the United States’ economy has incorporated aspects of a

circular economy model rather than the traditional linear consumption model. Traditionally, the

American economy is dependent upon mass consumption. For instance, in a society where 95%

of households own a car, the sharing economy offers a radical shift in consumption norms

(Chase). Every household no longer needs to have personal resources that remain idle for much

of their life when the option to share is readily available. According to transportation adviser

Paul Barter, the average car spends 95% of its life parked. The circular economy “entails

gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing

waste out of the system” (Ellen MacArthur Foundation). By sharing resources, fewer resources

will need to be produced. Thus, fewer resources will be wasted.

Not only would resources be used more efficiently by sharing, a lot of space would be

saved. The average parking space takes up about 300 square feet of asphalt (Goodyear).
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However, that does not mean that every car is only allocated 300 square feet; parking spaces are

copiously available. It is unknown how many parking spaces there are in the United States;

estimates range from 105 million to 2 billion. To put that in perspective, as of 2017 the

population of the United States is 325.7 million. That is about 6 parking spaces per person. By

reducing the amount of cars on the road, the number of parking spaces would inevitably decrease

as well.

Although at first glance the sharing economy may seem rooted in sustainability, many

argue that this system is motivated by cost-cutting and maximization of business profitability.

The taxi driving industry has taken a hit with the rise of the sharing economy-- some have coined

this ‘The Uber Effect.’ As Uber’s gross bookings consistently grow each year, taxi drivers have

seen significant decreases in their take-home pay. In Ottawa, Uber was introduced in October of

2015. Taxi drivers reported that within the first few months of the Uber launch, their take-home

pay had dropped 25-30% (Duffy). According to Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber drivers

around the world spend 8.5 million hours on the road every day. That is about 1,000 years of

driving, all in 24 hours.

To fully understand ‘The Uber Effect’ one must consider the low-barriers to entry for

Uber/Lyft drivers. Some requirements to drive for Uber include: above 21 years of age, be

licensed to drive in the United States for a year (or three if you are under 23), have access to a

four-door vehicle that is ten years old or newer, have proper vehicle licensing and insurance, and

pass a background check. Once drivers have proven to fit these requirements, they are ready to

drive.
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In contrast, taxi drivers work years to pay off their taxi medallion, also known as a CPNC

(Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience) that essentially allows a taxi driver to operate

legally. This medallion is owned by few. Rather, most drivers lease the medallions paying

approximately $100 for a 12-hour shift (Watt). At one point, a taxi medallion was seen as one of

the most valuable investments because the cities would only issue a limited number each year. In

the late 1970s, individual taxi medallions were valued at about $50,000. By 2014, they were

valued over $1M. With the rise of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, these medallions have

significantly decreased in value to about $160,000-$250,000 (Byrne). This leaves many taxi

drivers in extreme amounts of debt, some nearing $1M. Below is a graph visualizing the

fluctuations of taxi medallion value in NYC.

Technology:

The now ubiquitous ownership of personal cell phones and the commonality of 4G data,

which enables users to access internet without connecting to a WiFi hotspot, has enabled the

growth of ridesharing technology applications like Lyft and Uber and the advancement of the
 Share the Ride, 8

transportation sharing economy. In the future, some have speculated that blockchain technology

could be used to increase accountability, safety, and flexibility in ridesharing in the future

(​Forbes​, 2018). Additionally, car manufacturers are partnering with ridesharing companies to roll

out self-driving cars, a considerable technological achievement. Currently, Uber is utilizing

specialized Ford Fusion vehicles in Pittsburgh that are driving passengers with no human driver

-- although there is an engineer in the driver’s seat for legal and safety reasons as it is a pilot

program (​Ridester​, 2017). Cell phones, cellular data, the blockchain, and self-driving cars are all

advancing technologies that are transforming the transportation sharing economy.

Environmental:

In the United States, the transportation sector now accounts for the greatest share of

greenhouse gas emissions at 28.5 percent (US EPA, 2016). Greenhouse gas emissions directly

contribute to global climate change, one of the greatest threat intensifiers we now face. In

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming,​

ridesharing is listed as solution number 75 with the potential to reduce .32 gigatons of CO2

worldwide by 2050 while actualizing ​$185.56 Billion in Net Operational Savings (Drawdown,

​ ade a projection for

2017). In order to come to this calculation, the researchers at ​Drawdown m

commuter ridesharing in North America. As of 2015, 10% of commuters carpool. By 2050, if

15% carpool and the average number of people per carpool increases from 2.3 to 2.5 people, .3

gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions would be mitigated (Drawdown, 2017). This is a

conservative projection. Further ridesharing, bike sharing, etc could easily be possible by 2050

with the possibility of further aiding in the efforts to reverse anthropogenic global warming.
 Share the Ride, 9

A major new study has found that ridesharing is impacting the environment negatively

(Schaller, 2018). Firstly, ridesharing “compete[s] mainly with public transportation, walking and

biking, drawing customers from these non-auto modes based on speed of travel, convenience and

comfort.” Sixty percent of ridesharing users in large urban cities would have walked, biked, or

used public transit had ridesharing not been available (Schaller, 2018). In addition, Uber and

Lyft have increased congestion and vehicle miles driven in cities. Ridesharing “put 2.8 new

vehicle miles on the road for each mile of personal driving removed, for an overall 180 percent

increase in driving on city streets” (Schaller, 2018). More vehicle miles driven means more

greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution, and congestion. These findings demonstrate that

ridesharing, in its current form, is not delivering on the promise or potential of reduced

environmental impact.

Legal:

Businesses that are involved in the sharing economy provide many convenient options for

employment. However, a con for working for such a company is that drivers have to utilize their

own personal vehicles. Uber and Lyft drivers have to make use of their own vehicles while

working. The issue with this legally is that most of the drivers only have personal car insurance.

This means that if a driver were to get into an accident, the cost would come directly out of the

driver’s insurance company. Also, if a driver were to hit someone, the driver would be liable for

all costs and damages. There is also a chance that insurance companies would not cover any

costs because “the insurer may deny the claim on the grounds that the vehicle was used for

commercial purposes” (Werle, 2018). The relevant corporations, i.e. Uber or Lyft, would not
 Share the Ride, 10

assist their drivers, since “ridesharing companies usually provide drivers with a commercial

policy but do not cover vehicle damage” (Werle). Unfortunately, this could force the driver into

a financial stump since the fines of such damages are not cheap and if the driver gets sued, there

could be additional involvement in the legal system.

Political:

Initially, one of the main opportunities of relying more heavily on a sharing economy is

to create a more sustainable, affordable, and efficient system for residents. However, businesses

that engage in the sharing economy may struggle to follow all legislation that is put into place.

For example, ridesharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are in high demand in large due to their

low-pricing strategy. These apps are able to charge low prices, even during rush hour, that

ultimately incentivize users to rideshare rather than walk, bike, or take public transportation.

Ridesharing apps also have an algorithm to ‘surge’ prices when rides are in high demand. This is

called dynamic pricing, where businesses set flexible prices based on current market demands.

Even with higher prices, users may choose rideshare services. According to Chicago Policy

Review, this is one common complaint that critics of ridesharing have. It is argued that “​the

sharing economy business model has unfair advantages over other highly regulated businesses.”

By using dynamic pricing, these corporations are not following legislation because “v​olatility in

pricing... violates the General Business Law, which protects against such price hikes” (He,

2017). Although these ridesharing apps are convenient for consumers, the business practices

have significant political consequences.

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Social:

A business of inequity. Ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, project a false reality

for many through their advertisement of feasibility, flexibility, and economic benefits. Yet, these

marketed ideals are not a reality for many who struggle to make ends meet.

On Uber’s website, it states “make great money,” “set your own schedule, and “signing

up is easy” (Uber 2018). It advertises driving as the ideal working-class job which offers both

independence and money. Lyft quotes one of its drivers, Ivette from LA: “The quality of life that

I get from working with Lyft is essential to doing the projects that I love” (Lyft 2018).

In 2017, drivers filed a lawsuit against Uber for its misleading claims. One of the claims

stated, “Uber claimed its drivers could earn a median income of more than $90,000 per year in

New York and more than $74,000 in San Francisco. In reality, the FTC said, less than 10% of

drivers earned that” (O’Brien 2017). As a result, Uber paid $20 million to settle its lawsuit for

misleading drivers.

With regards to flexibility, there are negative aspects of being an independent contractor.

Some negative aspects include no offered benefits (like health insurance or retirement planning)

and the need to file personal taxes (McDeez 2017).

A report released in December of 2016 by Frank Field, a Labour MP, suggested Uber

unfairly treats its workers. The Guardian summarizes, “The report says they described conditions

that matched the Victorian definition of sweated labor: ‘when earnings were barely sufficient to

sustain existence, hours of labor were such as to make lives of workers periods of ceaseless toil;
 Share the Ride, 12

conditions were injurious to the health of workers and dangerous to the public’” (Lawrence

2016).

Yet, there has been progress. On November 1, 2018, Uber launched a new pilot program

Uber Pro (beta). It may be the right step in creating a more equitable sharing economy. The

mission of this program is to offer rewards and opportunity for its drivers. Uber states, “Uber Pro

is a new rewards program that recognizes your commitment and effort, so you can reach your

goals—on and off the road” (Uber). This system is built on rewards and has four levels for

drivers: Partner, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Partner is the lowest level and all drivers begin at

this level, while Diamond is the highest and requires 1200-1800 points.

Some rewards include higher earnings, cash back on gas, and tuition coverage. At the

environmental level, Uber offers services to maintain cars. Buzzfeed News states, “Twenty-five

percent discounts on car maintenance will be provided through CarAdvice, an online auto repair

shop network” (O’Donovan). Another opportunity Uber Pro offers is 100 percent tuition

coverage at Arizona State University for a driver or their family member.

As of right now, this program is only offered for drivers in eight select urban cities of the

United States, including Chicago.

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Methodology

Stakeholders:

The various stakeholders of our project include the general Chicago population, those

who travel to the Chicagoland area, employees of ridesharing companies, CTA workers, taxi

drivers, and Loyola students. Our key stakeholders are those who are considering buying a car in

an urban area. They likely have a sustainable mindset and exist within the millenial or Gen Z

population. We think this report and research is most relevant to them.

Sustainability Environment:

The sustainability environment chosen for this project is the City of Chicago. We will be

focusing on this urban environment, its infrastructure, and its culture. For our primary research,

we relied heavily on Loyola University of Chicago and its students for our survey.

Fishbone Analysis:
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Goal and Deliverables:

Based on our research findings, we hope to offer solutions to inform users on how to

improve the sustainability of their transportation. As part of this goal, our project aims to work

with the various stakeholders to develop solutions which take into consideration both the

stakeholders and their needs.

The expected deliverables are:

1. Provide data on Loyola’s students and their connection to the transportation sharing

economy, such as their perceptions and use of it

2. Gain an understanding of all parties involved with the sharing economy, including users,

workers, companies/business, the City Chicago

3. Develop a research report which we can present in-class and possibly at a symposium

during the school year

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Research Methodology: Primary & Secondary Research

Our team utilized both primary and secondary research methods. Using both methods

allowed for more conclusive research results. The secondary data that we pulled for the PESTEL

analysis background section of our report came from several different outlets including:

company websites, articles, peer-reviewed journals, and other scholarly sources. The primary

research we conducted consisted of a survey of 49 urban dwellers to gain insights on the

reasoning behind ridesharing as well as the experience. We also interviewed a Lyft driver as part

of our primary research to hear an inside perspective on the driver experience.

Data Gathered and Analysis

Users:

We draw multiple insights from our primary research. Our pool of responses was pulled

primarily from college-aged students in the Chicagoland area. The majority of survey

participants have ridden with Uber and Lyft and 61.2% of these participants do not own a

personal car. Only 22.4% of survey participants have used Divvy. However, 77.6% of survey

participants have ridden in a taxi.

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When it comes to the frequency of ridesharing services, 53.1% of survey participants

typically use ridesharing services a few times a month. 20.4% of survey respondents said once a

week. We asked when survey participants ​most frequently​ use ridesharing services. The majority,

65.3%, said “when it is late.” 42.9% said “when I am running late,” 36.7% rideshare because

they are “in a big group,” 32.7% because of “bad weather,” and 22.4% because of personal

“laziness.”
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A result of our survey that we were pleased to see was that 44.9% of survey respondents

utilize pooling options ​most​ rides. 16.3% responded ​every​ ride and only 10.2% of respondents

never​ use pooling options. This means that although the pooling options like Lyft Line and

Uberpool were only introduced in the past couple of years, they are catching on and gaining

popularity. When respondents use pooling options, they are actually ​sharing​ the ride (i.e.

carpooling).
 Share the Ride, 18

Survey respondents were divided on whether or not they tip rideshare drivers. Some

survey respondents were under the impression that drivers for Uber/Lyft make enough without

tips. Others listed driver niceness and professionalism, overall efficiency, and car

cleanliness/comfort as factors that influence their decision to tip. Some survey respondents said

they always tip drivers regardless of the experience but will tip more if they see the driver going

above and beyond.

In general, survey respondents believe ridesharing has a positive impact on the

environment. We asked the questions, “Do you believe ridesharing has a positive impact on the

environment? Why?/How?” Twenty-seven respondents believed that yes, ridesharing does

positively impact the environment. Many referenced pollution reduction and fewer cars on the

road in explanation. Seven said no, explaining ridesharing often detracts from public

transportation usage or adds to idling and congestion. Five respondents said both yes and no,

articulating a mixture of reasons. And, nine respondents said maybe or that they were unsure.

We asked survey respondents “How does the existence of ridesharing impact your

decision to (not) own a car?” Respondents answered in a myriad of different ways. For example,

one respondent stated, “ridesharing makes it a lot easier to not own a car and makes me want to
 Share the Ride, 19

continue not having a car.” On the other hand, another respondent said, “I would own a car

regardless of ride sharing and prefer using this option over ridesharing.” Others, said that

ridesharing is irrelevant to their decision to own or not own a car, which is influenced by other

factors like cost or the percepti​on that a car is unnecessary in an urban setting like Chicago. 

When asked open endedly, “What factors influence your transportation decisions? How?” 

many respondents echoed each other. We categorized the responses into various factors: time, 

cost/price, distance/location, accessibility/usability/convenience, safety, stuff/companions, 

weather, drinking, other. This question helped us assess the most important factors that 

respondents consider on a daily basis. 

Drivers:

By asking college students a series of questions, we were able to gain their perspective on

the ridesharing phenomenon. When one driver was asked if they thought they were a part of
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creating a more sustainable environment, they responded “Not really, since most people ride by

themselves anyways, but it has the potential to be extremely sustainable.” This shows that even

though ride sharing is assumed to be more sustainable, there could a bigger emphasis of an

environmental agenda.

Furthermore, one of the main concerns Uber and Lyft drivers expressed was regarding

tips. A driver who reported to the Business Insider encouraged riders to “...stop assuming

[drivers] don't need tips because Uber [and Lyft] pays so well” (Cain, 2018). In fact, 69% of

Uber and Lyft drivers have reported of having another full time or part time job to make up for

their financial quotas that are not fully met by these ridesharing apps (McCabe, 2015).

In our survey, we asked the driver if they “felt offended when they weren’t tipped by

users?” One driver expressed the frustration that when they are not tipped after they go above

and beyond to drop their users off at their specified location. In order to secure extra income,

some drivers are coming up with creative ways to drive consumers to pay more and/or tip.

Drivers are now carrying a “vending machines” in the back of their vehicles to gain an extra two

or three dollars from their passengers. They say that selling a variety of candies and soft drinks is

helpful when users need something to snack on late at night or need to be entertained during their

ride. This shows how drivers are desperately trying to maintain their earnings which is

something their employers fail to do.

An Uber driver in his sixties weighs in on the harsh reality that is his income. He says,

“Sometimes it's low as $4 a day...on a really good day, I might make $10 per hour, and on very

rare occasion I might make up to $25 in an hour, but that's not per hour” (Cain, 2018). This

shows how drivers do not receive consistent paychecks from these companies.
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After analyzing the survey results gained from drivers, we found that they have their own

perspectives, positive and negative, on the ridesharing phenomenon. Although they think

ridesharing is an unique idea, the low wages they receive from it negatively influence their view.

They also wish that their passengers were more understanding of the weak economic position

their drivers are in.

Recommendations

From the sustainability analysis, PESTEL analysis, and the primary research we

conducted, we have developed the Transportation Hierarchy, a decision making support tool for

urban transportation.

First, we recommend walking or biking to your destination. Economically, walking or

biking is the free and clearly the cheapest option. Socially, walking or biking improves fitness,

health, and wellbeing. Environmentally, walking or biking does not result in any harmful air

pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. Legally, it also avoids any paperwork and legal contracts.

If one does not own a bike, in Chicago, Divvy offers a cost effective way to get to one’s

destination while participating in the bike sharing economy.

 Share the Ride, 22

Second, if walking or biking is not feasible, we recommend using public transportation.

Economically, public transit is cost effective, only costing a couple of dollars for travel. Socially,

public transit has safety risks. Unfortunately, these risks are heightened for women. On the social

upside, public transit offers an opportunity to encounter neighbors and for an increased sense of

community and resiliency. Environmentally, public transit, especially transit offer an electrified

form of transportation. Either on a bus or a train, economies of scale lead to far fewer emissions,

local air pollution, and congestion per person.

Third, if neither public transportation nor walking or biking is feasible, we recommend

ride sharing using the “pool” or “line” option. Economically, while, often more expensive than

public transit, the pooling option offers a discount for riders. Socially, riders get to meet other

riders. And unlike public transit, routes are personally customizable, which is helpful for getting

to urban areas that are otherwise hard to access. Environmentally, driving leads to worse air

pollution, congestion, and climate impacts than public transit (if the car has an internal

combustion engine); however, pooling enables riders to minimize these heightened impacts.

Fourth, the last option, if all others are not feasible, is to take a solo rideshare or drive

one’s own car. Economically, this is the most costly option. Car ownership requires large capital

costs, insurances costs, and repairs. Solo rideshare usage is more expensive than pooling.

Socially, the key human upsides are typically time reduction and maximum safety.

Environmentally, the climate, air pollution, and congestion impacts are the greatest for this

option. However, some of these can be mitigated with the advent of renewable electricity

powered electrical vehicles.

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Conclusion

Academics and environmental experts have articulated and envisioned the power of

sharing in our transportation economy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide

more equitable and affordable transportation, and create novel economic value. In

advertisements and marketing, large ride sharing companies like Lyft and Uber emphasize these

positive and sustainable environmental, social, and economic upsides. Nonetheless, now that the

ridesharing market has developed so robustly, there are documentable outcomes that enable us to

assess whether these upsides have been actualized. The results are not pretty. When it comes to

reductions in emissions and congestion, ridesharing has failed to deliver on its promises

exacerbating some of the very problems the industry was supposed to mitigate. Nonetheless, as

the sharing transportation economy continues to mature, develop, respond to legislative changes,

and innovate, the potential for environmental benefit still lies ahead. Socially and economically,

the companies have been more responsive to critiques, developing programs and strategies to

assuage concerns.

Our primary research results demonstrated that ridesharing has become a fact of life for

young people altering their transportation related decisions. Rooted in both the background

research we conducted and the survey results, we developed an easy-to-use decision support tool:

the Transportation Hierarchy. In developing the Transportation Hierarchy, we weighed

economic, social, and environmental factors in order to provide the most sustainable set of

recommendations possible for urban dwellers navigating a host of transportation options. As

such, our results are not policy prescriptive with an intended audience of policy makers, although
 Share the Ride, 24

the report does contain information which could be. Our results are intended to be utilized by

everyday persons amidst the infrastructure that is available to them.

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 Share the Ride, 25

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Uber. “Introducing Uber Pro.” November 2018.

Watt, Cecilia Saixue. “'There's No Future for Taxis': New York Yellow Cab Drivers Drowning
in
Debt.” ​The Guardian,​ Guardian News and Media, 20 Oct. 2017,
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/20/new-york-yellow-cab-taxi-medallion-value-
cost​.

Werle, Frank. “7 Legal Issues to Consider in the Sharing Economy.” ​Docurex® Dataroom,​
Janina Winkler /Wp-Content/Uploads/docurex_logo_header-300x60.Png, 24 Apr. 2018,
www.docurex.com/en/7-legal-issues-to-consider-in-the-sharing-economy/.

“What Is a Circular Economy?” ​Ellen MacArthur Foundation​, 2017,

www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/concept.

Appendix

RESUMES OF CONSULTANTS
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Attached are resumes of all research project consultants with their photos and contact

information (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D.)

Appendix 1A: Resume of Consultant #1

Name: ​Juhi Desai

Graduation Date: ​May 2019
Major: ​Political Science, Criminal
Justice/Criminology
Minor:​​ Women and Gender Studies
Section, Gp#:​​ 02E, #5
Project: ​Share the Ride

Consulting Intern, Loyola University Chicago Aug to Dec 2018

The purpose of this engaged learning project is to better understand how sustainable a sharing
economy is. Group 5 chose this topic because as millennials, we are commonly exposed to a
sharing economy and we often participate in it. It would be interesting to find out how sustainable
our choices are and how they affect our cities. This project will help to ensure that companies that
are now becoming popular amongst us millennials are beneficial and not hargfdhmful to our
communities.

Statement of Learning
I am a political science and criminal justice major who is interested in this project because it will
help me look into the various policies that are interconnected with the issue of a sharing economy.
I will also be able to look at the demographics of those who engage in a sharing economy versus
those who don’t and see what factors play a role in determining that. I have not participated in
such a research so I am excited to see the new lens that I will be able to use throughout the
duration of this study.

Education
Loyola University Chicago
College of Arts and Science
Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelors of Arts in Political Science
Minor: Women and Gender Studies
Expected Graduation Date: May 2019
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Work Experience
Senator Dick Durbin’s Office ​– Chicago, IL
July 2018 – August 2018
Casework Intern
● Answered constituents’ phone calls and assisted them with their questions, greeted office
visitors, and helped mediate phone call conversations between the constituents and their
assigned caseworker.
● Logged constituents’ casework requests in the system’s database and created their
respective case files
● Contacted federal agencies and constituents when additional information was needed
● Performed several organizational tasks such as making copies, scanning important
documents, and alphabetically filed closed cases
● Exhibited strong time management skills by accomplishing various writing tasks by the
expected deadlines

Nordstrom​​ – Oakbrook, IL May 2016 – August 2017

Sales Associate
● Worked as a commission based sales associate in the kids-wear girls department
● Received honors and recognition for my excellence in customer service
● Continually met or surpassed expected department sales goals
● Shared knowledge to customers about various merchandise to help them achieve their
desired look
● Responsible for stocking, filling, and rearranging the floor with new products to showcase
the best to improve the experience of the shopper
Peer Advisor ​– Rogers Park, IL August 2016
– December 2016
● Assisted an academic advisor with facilitating activities meant for first-year students in
order to ease their transition from high school to college
● Created lesson plans for day to day activities
● Graded and gave written feedback on students’ work in a timely manner
● Worked with two other mentors to coordinate interactive activities for students

Community Involvement
Hindu Students’ Organization Executive Board Member
February 2017 – Current
Discussions Leader & Events Coordinator
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● Planned and organized many religious events relating to the mission of the organization,
including the award-winning Loyola Garba which annually attracts more than 1000 guests
from all over the Chicagoland area
● Facilitated faith-based discussions for the general body members
● Worked with other executive members to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for all of our
members
● Oversaw weekly board meetings with other executive board members

Skills
● Able to work well independently and in group settings
● Effectively able to accomplish tasks that have firm deadlines
● Fluently speaks and understands Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi
● Great written and verbal communication skills
● Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
● Well-organized and works well in a fast-paced and high-stress environment

Appendix 1B: Resume of Consultant #2

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Name: ​Paul Campion

Graduation Date: ​May 2019
Major: ​Environmental Science
Section, Gp#:​​ 02E, #5
Project: ​Share the Ride

Consulting Intern, Loyola University Chicago Aug to Dec 2018

The purpose of this engaged learning project is to develop a better understanding of the sharing
economy in transportation, assess the sustainability of the sharing economy in its current form,
and develop recommendations on how the sharing economy can contribute to more sustainable
cities. We chose this project because the sharing economy is rapidly changing transportation
norms in cities like Chicago. This project will complete analyses to ensure that new processes in
the sharing economy contribute to the UN SDGs.

Statement of Learning
I am an Environmental Science major and this project is of great interest to me because I am
likely to spend my career working to reverse global warming. In ​Drawdown: The Most
Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming,​ ridesharing is listed as solution
number 75 with the potential to reduce .32 gigatons of CO2 worldwide by 2050 while actualizing
$185.56 Billion in Net Operational Savings. I want to learn about this solution in depth and
become poised to potentially work in the sharing economy field to advance sustainability in the
world.
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Appendix 1C: Resume of Consultant #3

Name:​​ Jacqueline Morel

Graduation Date: ​May 2019
Major: ​Business Marketing
Section, Gp#:​​ 02E, #5
Project: ​Share the Ride

EDUCATION
Loyola University Chicago​​, Chicago, IL
Expected May 2019
Quinlan School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration: Marketing, Minor in
Sustainable Business
GPA: 3.91/4.0
Courses completed: Fundamentals of Marketing, Market Research, Consumer Behavior,
Sustainable Marketing, Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Microeconomics,
Macroeconomics, Career Preparation, Operations Management, Business Information Systems,
Business Statistics, Managing People & Organizations, Business Finance, Business and
Professional Speaking

EXPERIENCE
Food for Thought, ​Lincolnwood, IL
June 2018-August 2018
Marketing Intern
Ensured quality input while aiding the marketing team at a dynamic catering company
· Implemented the process of incorporating nutritionals, ingredient lists, and allergens for
product labels in the Dining Services division of the organization
· Used problem solving skills to find efficiencies in everyday tasks within the marketing
department
· Took a proactive approach in building marketing assets for several campaigns for clients
working closely with the company’s graphic designers
· Analyzed the results of previous marketing campaigns and presented findings to the Dining
Services Team
· Participated in a number of meetings in regards to the company’s sustainability initiatives
while working on a “Shedd the Straw” campaign
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Greenheart International​​, Chicago, IL

January 2017-April 2017
Marketing and Outreach Intern
Completed various marketing-focused projects during a period of rebranding within a nonprofit
organization
· Revised several blog post submissions written by non-native English speakers that aid in
recruiting future program participants
· Created internet posts that increase views on social media accounts and bring awareness to
the programs available through Greenheart
· Revitalized older resources throughout the organization to guarantee consistency throughout
all marketing materials within the organization

True North Coffee Café​​, Chicago, IL

April 2018-Present
Barista
Created an upbeat environment for customers while taking orders, serving food, crafting
beverages, and providing excellent customer service
· Delivering exceptional, prompt, and friendly service consistently to all customers
· Answering customer questions regarding menu items and general inquiries about the café
· Working alongside team members to deliver excellent cuisine that exceeded customer
expectations
· Simulated the responsibilities of a managerial position by settling the drawer at close,
ordering supplies, training employees, and holding a key to the shop
· Transformed and fashioned menu boards to a design that is both more visually appealing and
easier to read to the customer
· Trained and supported new employees on cash register, drink preparation, and customer
service to ensure a cohesive work team

Consulting Intern,​​ Loyola University Chicago

Aug to Dec 2018
The purpose of this engaged learning project is to look at the sharing economy through a critical
lense. Although the sharing economy is often accepted as a green alternative to traditional modes
of transit, there are impacts on transportation, both positive and negative, by the growth of the
sharing economy. This project will explore these impacts to ensure that we are pursuing the
sharing economy in the most sustainable way possible.

TECHNICAL SKILLS
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Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, GNU Image Manipulation Program, Public
Speaking, Qualtrics, SPSS, NVivo, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Photography

Statement of Learning
I am a Marketing major minoring in Sustainable Business Management and I am eager to work on
this project because I am interested in finding ways to make businesses more sustainable.
Throughout the semester, our group will be critiquing the sharing economy and finding areas with
room for improvement. This will include a deep-dive into businesses like Uber and Lyft, two
dominant forces in the sharing economy. Looking at their marketing methods will aid our group’s
understanding for ​how t​ he sharing economy is growing at the rate that it is and ​why​ it is gaining
popularity in urban centers.
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Appendix 1D: Resume of Consultant #4

Name: ​Mary Wright

Graduation Date: ​May 2019
Major: ​Sociology; Advocacy & Social Change
Section, Gp#:​​ 02E, #5
Project: ​Share the Ride

EDUCATION
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Communications, Advocacy and Social Change ​ xpected May 2019
E
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology ​ xpected May
E
2019

WORK EXPERIENCE

Loyola University Chicago: Institute of Environmental Sustainability ​ Chicago, IL

Consulting Intern ​Aug. 2018 - Present
The purpose of this engaged learning project is to critically look at the sharing economy of the
United States, specifically ridesharing services. Our main argument is the sharing economy is not
sustainable as we think it is. We chose this project because we are a part of the millennial
generation who heavily relies on ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft. The goal of this
research is to find solutions to further improve the sustainability of ridesharing, as its popularity
continues to grow. This project will look at sustainability across various levels, including social,
environmental and economic. We want to ensure ride-sharing meets the UN’s Sustainable
Development Goals.

Loyola University of Chicago: Student Transitions and Outreach ​ Chicago, IL

Orientation Leader ​ ay 2017-Present
M
● Assist in the running of incoming Freshman and Transfer student orientations
● Lead a group of students and/or parents and guests to various presentations and events
● Represent Loyola and put families at ease by answering questions about the university and
the transition to college
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Loyola University of Chicago: Institute of Environmental Sustainability ​Chicago, IL

Administrative Lead, Sustainability Intern J​ an. 2017-Present
● Promote university's mission of social justice by tabling and hosting workshops on
sustainability
● Educate through composting and planning sustainable living workshops
● Work alongside the Student Environmental Alliance and advocate for environmental
initiatives
● Commit 3 to 5 hours a week planning and implementing projects, communicating with the
Sustainability Director and interns, and attending meetings

Loyola University Chicago: Undergraduate Admissions Office ​Chicago, IL

Student Worker Supervisor, Telecounselor ​Sept. 2015-Present
● Interact and recruit prospective students and address questions about the application
process and student experience
● Monitor and evaluate co-workers’ calls and interactions while fostering a supportive
environment
● Report and summarize to manager and recommend improvements to recruitment
processes
● Commit 12 hours a week communicating with prospective students

ACTIVITIES
Loyola Women’s Club Ultimate Frisbee ​Chicago, IL
President, Vice President, Team Member Aug. 2016 - Present
● Participate in team practices, workouts and tournaments during Fall and Spring semesters
● Develop qualities of leadership, accountability, responsibility and sportsmanship
● Strengthen confidence through self-motivation and discipline on and off the field
● Commit at least 8 hours a week attending practices and workouts, communicating with the
Club Sports Director and the eBoard, and performing officer duties

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Written & Oral Communication Skills • Document Design & Layout Collaboration
Adobe Photoshop & Adobe InDesign • Microsoft Word & PowerPoint • iMovie
Customer Service • Supervision of Peers • Recruitment & Retention

Statement of Learning
I am a double major in Sociology and Advocacy & Social Change, with a minor in Environmental
Action & Leadership. This project allows me to bring together all three of my passions. I believe
 Share the Ride, 37

I’m prepared to use all three specialties to critically analyze our sharing economy. I want to go
into urban planning, and I think this research will be very helpful in understanding the field. We
will be critically looking at cities and the pros / cons of their infrastructure and cultures in
relationship to sustainability. This pairs well with my Sociology capstone reach I’m also doing
this semester, where I look at bike sharing systems, like Divvy, in cities.