Business

Uber CEO Stops Using His Own Service, Says Report

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Uber CEO Travis Kalanick now has a private driver rather than using his own company’s services, according to a Sunday New York Times report.

The decision to use a chauffeur likely stems from the fallout of a heated argument between the tech tycoon and an Uber driver. The viral video published in February shows a driver arguing with Kalanick over the company’s business decisions and conduct.

Fawzi Kamel, who picked Kalanick up with two women, argued that Uber is making the cost of rides far too cheap, which he says ultimately hurts the drivers more than the overall business.

“People are not trusting you anymore … I lost $97,000 because of you. I’m bankrupt because of you. Yes, yes, yes. You keep changing every day, you keep changing every day,” Kamel said in a video obtained by Bloomberg.

“Bullshit … You know what? Some people don’t like to take responsibility for their own shit. They blame everything in their life on somebody else. Good luck!” Kalanick said while exiting the car.

Kalanick sent an apology to roughly 11,000 employees at his company as well as the general public after Kamel publicized the inflamed exchange.

“By now I’m sure you’ve seen the video where I treated an Uber driver disrespectfully,” Kalanick wrote in an official apology published on Uber’s website. “To say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement.” (RELATED: Tim Cook Once Thought He Caught Uber Spying On iPhone Users. So He Called For A Meeting)

Kalanick used to only travel (presumably besides flying) through his own company, according to Business Insider. The bigwig was such an avid fan of his own service, he even moonlighted as a driver for Uber.

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