Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP15202
Authors: Marc Ivaldi; Emil Palikot
Abstract: Using data collected from one of the most popular ridesharing platforms, we illustrate how mobility has changed after the exit from the Covid-19 induced confinement. We measure the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the level of mobility and the price of ridesharing. Finally, we show that the pandemic has exacerbated ethnic discrimination. Our results suggest that a decision-maker encouraging the use of ridesharing during the pandemic should account for the impact of the perceived health risks on ridesharing prices and should find ways to ensure fair access.
Keywords: ridesharing; digital mobility; price discrimination
JEL Codes: L91; R40
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 severity measures (I14) | number of trips offered (R41) |
| COVID-19 severity measures (I14) | prices set by drivers (R48) |
| increase in positive COVID-19 cases (F69) | rise in prices per kilometer (R48) |
| shelter-at-home orders lifted (H84) | number of trips offered (R41) |
| COVID-19 pandemic (H12) | increase in share of minority passengers (J15) |
| non-minority drivers (J15) | likelihood to accept minority passengers (J15) |