If you were an Uber user in Austin, Texas, this fall, you might have been surprised to see the option to take a horse and buggy instead of a car appear on your smartphone. The tongue-in-cheek offer was part of Uber’s effort to inform and mobilize customers in its fight against what the company contended were antiquated regulations being considered by local government.
In July, Uber users looking for a ride in New York City were urged to sign an online petition opposing a cap on the number of drivers in the city. And in February, Uber asked customers in Virginia to send digital thank-you notes to members of the state legislature who helped expand the company’s service there. No need for anyone to search out contact information for those lawmakers, as Uber conveniently delivered their Twitter handles directly to its app for customers to use.
