Massachusetts can't get enough of the gig economy

As voters prepare to decide whether gig economy workers should be considered employees or independent contractors, a new study shows just how addicted to deliveries and rides Bay Staters really are.

Why it matters: Massachusetts is reevaluating its relationship to gig economy companies like Uber, Lyft and Instacart, but the impact app-based services have had on consumers' way of life is undeniable.

• There were 144.3 million rides and deliveries in Massachusetts in 2023, a 70% increase over the pandemic year of 2021, according to data provided by the companies and analyzed by BW Research Partnership.
• Ride-hailing apps accounted for nearly 80 million rides in 2023, more than double the 2021 number.

What they found: 85.3% of the rides and deliveries came from greater Boston.

• The Worcester and Springfield areas each had about 6 million combined rides and deliveries.
• The number of merchant accounts on delivery platforms went up 29% between 2021 and 2023 and revenue jumped 44%.

What we're watching: The future of many gig economy workers in Massachusetts is in the hands of a jury in Suffolk Superior Court , where Uber and Lyft are on trial for allegedly breaking state labor laws by treating drivers as contractors instead of employees entitled to the minimum wage and benefits.

What's next: Whether gig economy companies can continue to utilize drivers as contractors will ultimately be up to voters in November when a ballot question will ask them to reshape labor laws to allow for independent contractors entitled to some, but not all, of the typical worker benefits.

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