GoRaleigh drivers frustrated over mileage miscalculations affecting their pay
GoRaleigh Access, the city's paratransit program, is fielding criticism from drivers and riders because of a new payment system.
Taxi drivers for that service say they're getting shortchanged because of a new system the city switched to in August.
Both riders and drivers have complained about the new system. One issue is the app and the other is the payment rate.
It's been a bumpy rollout for this new system. And now taxi drivers, who contract with GoRaleigh Access, said there are issues with not getting paid the full amount they're owed,
"They are not paying us the right mileage." said Ibienebo Aginaobu with Merit Taxi.
Adam Asfari, who owns WIld Horse Taxis, said he believes the issue is with the software.
"The software on the backend is calculating the distance that, I believe, is a straight line from point-to-point," said Asfari. "So not following any roads but is going from point straight across not accounting for roads and turns."
A spreadsheet shows potential mileage miscalculations. A column on the left shows the mileage according to the software called Eco Lane. The column on the right is what the drivers actually clocked. A closer look shows there are some discrepancies.
Drivers said they have lots of concerns such as pay being a month late and a lack of a fixed payday.
One owner who didn't want to go on camera said the miscalculation is costing her and her drivers a lot of money.
"Per day, we're talking $100 to $200 per day," the person said. "Our livelihood is being affected."
Assistant City Manager Michael Moore told WRAL News "we have been made aware of this issue and are actively working with the taxi companies and the software provider to reconcile the issue."
WRAL reached out the GoRaleigh program. which oversees the Access program. They say "We have been made aware of this issue and are actively working with the taxi companies and the software provider to reconcile the issue."
The city said it will work one-on-one with taxi drivers and companies to fix the issues with the software.
