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And now the internet and mobile apps has changed all that. Now consumers can pick the best service and simply download a different app, and the services themselves can weed out bad drivers by looking at their ratings.
That's an extremely naive point of view about something so critical as transportation infrastructure.
"a verbally abusive asshole who can't drive well, blows smoke into your face at a 15 second interval, doesn't know the city, and has basically no regard for human life or decency" sounds a lot more like taxi drivers than Uber drivers (with the exception of "doesn't know the city", fortunately we have other mobile apps for that too!)
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Like I said, I am only speaking for myself. I didn't claim that everyone who fits the description you just described now uses Uber.
I think that's my point. You previously would've used cabs, now you use Uber. Is Uber's value justified simply by the cohort of people who'd move away from using a traditional taxi service? I've been told no, that it requires a lot of people to do away with their vehicles and primarily use Uber, similar to a car share service but including the driver. I don't think that scenario is that likely to happen.
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Your question about self-fulfilling prophecy is very relevant to a recent piece written by a transportation expert. Among other points he makes: >Uber-type companies need to be understood as a radical departure from Amazon/EBay type models. Instead of displacing competitors through actual efficiencies, or by creating entirely new markets, its model is entirely based on getting the world to believe that it will inevit…
I can only speak for myself here but I feel like I am part of a new market that Uber and Lyft have created. I live in Austin TX and have had bad cab experiences here and so I frequently use Uber. I am from New York, however, and when I'm back there I almost never use Uber because I have no problems with getting a cab. I would be surprised if the market for cab companies in Austin is as large as the market Uber serves…
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That's an extremely naive point of view about something so critical as transportation infrastructure.
Seems to be working pretty well so far, especially compared to the highly regulated taxi industry. "a verbally abusive asshole who can't drive well, blows smoke into your face at a 15 second interval, doesn't know the city, and has basically no regard for human life or decency" sounds a lot more like taxi drivers than Uber drivers (with the exception of "doesn't know the city", fortunately we have other mobile apps f…
http://fortune.com/2015/05/22/uber-lyft-disabled/
http://www.wired.com/2015/08/uber-disability/
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/21/uber-disabi...
http://time.com/3895021/why-the-disabled-are-suing-uber-and-...
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I live out in a relatively remote area of Queens in NYC and never, ever took taxis before (I would have had to call an unreliable, surly car service). Now I spend $100+ a month on Uber, which is never more than 5 minutes away.
OT, the "5 minutes" I believe is an estimation and one reason why we feel that the response is fast. As a thought experiment, if they say your car is "10 minutes" away, it would perhaps be a different experience.
Uber is now too big to fail. Possibly the most important company this decade. I never cease to be amazed by their phenomenal execution across the world. I was in Mexico City last week where I truly came to understand the enormous impact Uber as a company has had in these past few years. The service was highly prevalent, popular, and the experience was completely seamless — just like in the US. It barely skipped a bea…
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I think that's my point. You previously would've used cabs, now you use Uber. Is Uber's value justified simply by the cohort of people who'd move away from using a traditional taxi service? I've been told no, that it requires a lot of people to do away with their vehicles and primarily use Uber, similar to a car share service but including the driver. I don't think that scenario is that likely to happen.
I previously did NOT use cabs in Austin. I had 2 bad experiences and just never tried again. Over the last year since I have relied on Uber so heavily I have actually sold my car. I still have a motorcycle and I use it for most short trips weather permitting. But if the weather is bad or I need to carry something with me that wont fit on the bike I use Uber.
Its a solution for 20 something singles. That's not a terribly huge market, and definitely not one worth billions of dollars.
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That's an extremely naive point of view about something so critical as transportation infrastructure.
Seems to be working pretty well so far, especially compared to the highly regulated taxi industry. "a verbally abusive asshole who can't drive well, blows smoke into your face at a 15 second interval, doesn't know the city, and has basically no regard for human life or decency" sounds a lot more like taxi drivers than Uber drivers (with the exception of "doesn't know the city", fortunately we have other mobile apps f…
Wow, we need a new monetary unit. I dub it the Lucasart, and it's worth an even $4B USD. Uber is now valued at 15.6 Lucasarts!!! Hooray and congrats to all involved in this grounded and logical valuation!