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Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

theguardian.com

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Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#51

Post by golergka »

jkoudys wrote: post #22

Every time this topic comes up, the discussion always revolves around whether or not Uber is properly licensed, or if it's fair for them to operate. What's often overlooked is the very reason so many of these licenses became as valuable as they did in the first place, and like so many economic issues it boils down to one thing: trust. For example, anyone who's seen more of NYC than just JFK airport and Times Square k…

And that's exactly why I like Get Taxi and Uber: they are most trustworthy. In a usual system, taxi parks have too little power and influence, each of them individually, to make these guarantees, and government has the power, but doesn't really have an incentive to do a really good job. Uber/Lyft/Gett, on the other hand, are big enough to have the power of control, but at the same time they still have competition which creates a motive to implement these guarantees.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#52

Post by mcuk2k »

Shivetya wrote: post #36
jkoudys wrote: post #22

Every time this topic comes up, the discussion always revolves around whether or not Uber is properly licensed, or if it's fair for them to operate. What's often overlooked is the very reason so many of these licenses became as valuable as they did in the first place, and like so many economic issues it boils down to one thing: trust. For example, anyone who's seen more of NYC than just JFK airport and Times Square k…

When government conspires with business to create a shortage it needs to be shaken up. The cost to entry for taxi services should not be the absurd numbers quoted in many cities, a number which only exists to benefit the existing companies and the politicians they support. What likely annoys these people the most is that their little game is being called out. Regulation has its place, that is not stifling competition…

The good thing about governments conspiring to create a shortage is that taxi drivers make a reasonable income.

This is an aspect that Silcon-Valley-style technology platforms have no apparent interest in supporting. For example, as time progresses Adsense might sign up more and more publisher capacity, yet that pushes down the income and discourages respectable publishers from using the service.

You go from a fairly well respected public service, to something that's got a nice brand and run by virtual slaves.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#53

Post by golergka »

steve19 wrote: post #23

I am astounded that the French government is doing exactly what the violent Taxi protesters (rioters?) wanted. This sends a clear message to any other groups: burn enough cars and blockade an airport and you will get what you want. I thought the Taxi drivers would be condemned by politicians and the French public.

> burn enough cars and blockade an airport and you will get what you want

I was under impression that that's how French government, as a lot of other European governments work anyway.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#54

Post by agumonkey »

dylanjermiah wrote: post #50
agumonkey wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't this the lesson about the `disruption` trend we've seen in the previous years. Everybody comes with a cheaper idea, that is actually just doing less while we forgot how much was done in what we thought was too high priced. Saying that after reviewing all that major Airplanes (vs RyanAir) gave you in a flight, food, blankets, gifts, music with weirdly shaped earphones, special magazines... of course we don't use…

"No information about him whatsoever" Please use factual information if you're going to converse. You have more information on an Uber driver than a taxi driver. Picture, licence number, accessible GPS location and drivers rating.

I spoke too fast, but this is not field information. How much pressure and constraints does he have to be a Uber driver beside the ratings ? It's not his main job, can't he quit any time he wants? how much hours does he have ? When a company hire someone they're at risk, it's a natural force to ensure both of them are able to service a client.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#55

Post by dylanjermiah »

agumonkey wrote: post #54
dylanjermiah wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"No information about him whatsoever" Please use factual information if you're going to converse. You have more information on an Uber driver than a taxi driver. Picture, licence number, accessible GPS location and drivers rating.

I spoke too fast, but this is not field information. How much pressure and constraints does he have to be a Uber driver beside the ratings ? It's not his main job, can't he quit any time he wants? how much hours does he have ? When a company hire someone they're at risk, it's a natural force to ensure both of them are able to service a client.

I'm unsure what point you're trying to make, would you mind expanding?

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#56

Post by Tomte »

steve19 wrote: post #23

I am astounded that the French government is doing exactly what the violent Taxi protesters (rioters?) wanted. This sends a clear message to any other groups: burn enough cars and blockade an airport and you will get what you want. I thought the Taxi drivers would be condemned by politicians and the French public.

Maybe Uber staged those protests, so that nobody would think about stepping in against them. ;-)

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#57

Post by hussong »

steve19 wrote: post #23

I am astounded that the French government is doing exactly what the violent Taxi protesters (rioters?) wanted. This sends a clear message to any other groups: burn enough cars and blockade an airport and you will get what you want. I thought the Taxi drivers would be condemned by politicians and the French public.

Generally speaking: how many violent protests do you need before you consider changing the law?

Nasty as that may seem, but without violent protests, France would possibly still be a kingdom (and the US a colony).

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#58

Post by agumonkey »

dylanjermiah wrote: post #55
agumonkey wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I spoke too fast, but this is not field information. How much pressure and constraints does he have to be a Uber driver beside the ratings ? It's not his main job, can't he quit any time he wants? how much hours does he have ? When a company hire someone they're at risk, it's a natural force to ensure both of them are able to service a client.

I'm unsure what point you're trying to make, would you mind expanding?

I distrust the underlying forces structuring light new businesses like Uber. When the entry cost is too low, people have no reason to put real effort. On the other side of the spectrum, Parisian cabs suffer from too high entry cost, AFAIU they have to work "hard" for a long time before they can reimburse the licence. And that contrast is what's causing the violence.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#59

Post by ginko »

murbard2 wrote: post #47
ginko wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, because providing unlicensed taxi service is the same thing as civil rights.

First of all, the OP was making a general point about the best way to go about challenging existing laws. Since the point is general, a counter example suffice, even if it differs from the specifics of the situation being discussed. If those specifics make a difference in the OP's point, the onus of outlining why they make a difference is on the OP. This is how logical reasoning works, but every. single. time. someon…

>Uber will go into neighborhood where Taxis don't, they can also be substantially cheaper depending on the city and the specifics. Having access to a ride late at night can mean the difference between being raped or not raped for many people living in high crime neighborhood.

This sounds like an American problem. Part of being a licensed taxi driver in Europe is that you can't refuse service in certain parts of town. Same for taxi hours. I have never not gotten a taxi by phone in Vienna.

Re: Two Uber managers detained in France over 'illicit' low-cost service

#60

Post by dsp1234 »

jkoudys wrote: post #22

Every time this topic comes up, the discussion always revolves around whether or not Uber is properly licensed, or if it's fair for them to operate. What's often overlooked is the very reason so many of these licenses became as valuable as they did in the first place, and like so many economic issues it boils down to one thing: trust. For example, anyone who's seen more of NYC than just JFK airport and Times Square k…

fares are often 1/4 what's paid for a yellow taxi.

Maybe this is the actual market rate for the service being provided, and not that people value it less.

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