Late-Session Deal Means Uber, Lyft To Stay In MN After All

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz and top Democrats in the Minnesota House and Senate have struck a compromise on a rideshare driver minimum wage bill to keep Uber and Lyft from leaving the state.

The bill voids the more ambitious Minneapolis City Council ordinance passed earlier this year and sets minimum rates statewide at $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute.

The Minneapolis version required drivers to receive $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute for all portions of a ride occurring within Minneapolis.

"While the coming price increases may hurt riders and drivers alike, we will be able to continue to operate across the State under the compromise brokered by the Governor," Uber spokesman Josh Gold told Patch in an email.

In a similar statement, Lyft told Patch that it has "long supported a minimum earnings standard and increasing driver pay in smart, deliberate ways, which is why earlier this year we announced a new commitment where drivers will always make at least 70% of the weekly rider fares after external fees."

The company said this new legislation "builds on those efforts and marks an important compromise that allows Minnesota rideshare drivers to keep earning with Lyft."