Invest in App-enabled union rides!

Sometimes you need a last-minute ride, but your options are labor Uber and Lyft -- two companies that trample labor rights. INVEST in a worker-run alternative. United Taxi Workers SD's on-demand app has all the touch-of-a-button convenience of Big Tech rideshare options without the corporate greed that fosters unsafe, unfair, and unprofitable conditions for workers. We’ve designed this worker-first solution because we are the workers. Our new driver cooperative, United Taxi Cooperative (UTCO), is ready to create a better way to ride for drivers and riders alike.

So what’s the plan?

The United Taxi Workers of San Diego (UTWSD) is forming the UTCO and an on-demand app that allows users to get around in a way they can feel good about. Unlike Big Tech alternatives, our plan offers:

Check out our report with the UC San Diego Design Lab for more on how our community-focused vision steps up where Big Tech fails, such as providing first and last mile tranasportation from San Diego's public transit network.

3 Essential Needs

1. 100 Tablets: Tablets enable drivers in this Black, immigrant-led cooperative to receive dispatches from our soon-to-launch digital dispatch app.

2. Dispatch App: Funding covers the tablet software, ongoing digital dispatch app maintenance, and cloud storage.

3. Training: This introductory tech training will help us get drivers ready to accept your ride requests.

Your funding will go directly towards the basic infrastructure needed to build equitable, on-demand transportation in San Diego. Together, we can make the necessary changes to provide a convenient and sustainable option for workers, commuters, and visitors in San Diego.

Contribution Levels

$5,000 - Founding Investor

$1,000 - Supporting Investor

$500 - Sustainer

$250 - Seed funder

$50 - Ally

Any amount you give is greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support!

History of UTWSD

Mikaiil Hussein, president of UTWSD, was previously a taxi driver who was blackballed by the local taxi industry for advocating for drivers’ rights and equality after working in the industry for five years. Out of those challenges, Mikaiil was instrumental in creating UTWSD. This local collaboration has been dedicated to the equal distribution of pay and benefits to local taxi drivers.

2010: UTWSD became a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.

2014: The “Lift the Cap” campaign is successful, making it possible for taxi drivers to purchase permits directly from San Diego MTS ending the black market for MTS permits.

2015: UTWSD works with MTS and San Diego City Council to update rules for owner-operators.

2019: Joins Airport Ground Transportation Ad-Hoc Committee on permits and successfully spearheaded efforts to open airport permits to all taxi drivers.

2020: Assisted with EDD rental assistance, small business grant applications, and food delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Formed the United Taxi Cooperative, partnering with Democracy At Work Institute (DAWI) and the UCSD Design Lab.