Uber lays off 3,000 as ridesharing plummets during pandemic

The ridesharing service Uber is laying off 3,000 employees in response to cratering revenue during the coronavirus pandemic, yet another sign that economic activity remains at historic lows in response to the outbreak and the government-mandated shutdowns that have followed it. 

Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, informed the company of the layoffs via email this week. The company had dismissed 3,700 employees just two weeks ago for the same reason, with Khosrowshahi himself foregoing a salary for the remainder of the year. 

Uber has for years been a symbol of urban revitalization and gentrification, with the company popping up in urban centers experiencing rapid economic growth. Users are able to order, and pay for, rides via their smartphones. 

The company has been the target of labor complaints and regulations for what opponents view as its end-run around transportation regulation. In many cities, taxicab companies are heavily regulated and extremely expensive to run, while Uber drivers usually require little more than a car and a driver's license. Municipalities have in some cases imposed strict regulations on rideshare services after they've become established. 

Uber is also closing several dozen offices across the planet as it continues to feel the squeeze from the lockdowns, which have shuttered countless restaurants, sporting venues and other destinations upon which the company has depended for ridesharing revenue.