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LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

libretaxi.org

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Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#121

Post by te_chris »

joeyspn wrote: post #107
paglia_s wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure about other EU countries but here in Italy Blablacar and Uber are completely different. For example the price you're allowed to ask is calculated to ensure it's only a cost sharing without any income for the driver.

> without any income for the driver What? It doesn't make sense... Then why would any driver want to provide services via the app? Also, I'm not talking about the specifics of the payment or reward systems, I'm just pointing out that they're both considered to be "on the same level" and in the same "difficult to tax" tech service (carpooling, ride-sharing, etc)... just google "blablacar uber" and see the results...

Because it reduces their cost on a route they were already going to take. It's the actual sharing part of the so-called 'sharing economy'.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#122

Post by sirtaj »

lmm wrote: post #99
tshawkins wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Errrh, i live in the Philippines, it has 80 million people on very low incomes, and yet it has one of the highest penetrations of android smartphones per head than most all other countries. You can get a quadcore 16GB android smartphone here for $30-40US, and they have a fantastic prepay system here where peopl can send credit to each other via the phone, such that it has become a virtual currency in its own right. h…

Sounds like jasode's point stands - anyone who has access to a smartphone also has access to non-cash means of payment.

As an example: India has 700 million mobile phone users, of which around 300 million are estimated to be smartphone users. Number of credit card users are around 20 million. the vast majority of "non-cash" payments would be done at some shop that will take cash and perform a digital payment or transfer for you.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#123

Post by Cozumel »

joeyspn wrote: post #116
rovek wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've literally never heard anyone outside Spotify ads 3 years ago even mention blablacar, let alone in the same breath as Uber.

Then you live disconnected from the european news... googled in 3 seconds: [FRANCE] http://www.capital.fr/bourse/actualites/blablacar-uber-sont-... [SPAIN] http://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/2016/04/14/570f66... [UK] http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/60586... [NETHERLANDS] http://www.nu.nl/internet/4268012/autodeeldienst-blablacar-w... etc...

Paid media coverage is a far cry from regular people actually using/talking about it. I've never heard of them.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#124

Post by [deleted] »

joeyspn wrote: post #107
paglia_s wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure about other EU countries but here in Italy Blablacar and Uber are completely different. For example the price you're allowed to ask is calculated to ensure it's only a cost sharing without any income for the driver.

> without any income for the driver What? It doesn't make sense... Then why would any driver want to provide services via the app? Also, I'm not talking about the specifics of the payment or reward systems, I'm just pointing out that they're both considered to be "on the same level" and in the same "difficult to tax" tech service (carpooling, ride-sharing, etc)... just google "blablacar uber" and see the results...

[deleted]

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#125

Post by ogig »

joeyspn wrote: post #107
paglia_s wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure about other EU countries but here in Italy Blablacar and Uber are completely different. For example the price you're allowed to ask is calculated to ensure it's only a cost sharing without any income for the driver.

> without any income for the driver What? It doesn't make sense... Then why would any driver want to provide services via the app? Also, I'm not talking about the specifics of the payment or reward systems, I'm just pointing out that they're both considered to be "on the same level" and in the same "difficult to tax" tech service (carpooling, ride-sharing, etc)... just google "blablacar uber" and see the results...

> Then why would any driver want to provide services via the app?

The incentive of the driver is sharing the cost of the gasoline/roads with the rider. Cost of gasoline in EU is higher than in US.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#126

Post by ti32x »

joeyspn wrote: post #107
paglia_s wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure about other EU countries but here in Italy Blablacar and Uber are completely different. For example the price you're allowed to ask is calculated to ensure it's only a cost sharing without any income for the driver.

> without any income for the driver What? It doesn't make sense... Then why would any driver want to provide services via the app? Also, I'm not talking about the specifics of the payment or reward systems, I'm just pointing out that they're both considered to be "on the same level" and in the same "difficult to tax" tech service (carpooling, ride-sharing, etc)... just google "blablacar uber" and see the results...

Because the cost of fuel in the EU is quite high, and a lot of people commute long(er) distances on a regular basis instead of flying.

It is considered an entirely acceptable system because the "cost reimbursement" will fully cover the cost of wear + tear + fuel, meaning that a drive across the country can be rendered effectively free for the driver.

Also, "without any income for the driver" isn't necessarily correct - if you have a full car you will make a tidy profit.

Edit: the cost of a blablacar trip to a passenger would be on the order of 13-16 euros for an hour's drive. Comparable or cheaper than a train, with more flexibility.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#127

Post by rsfern »

Chris2048 wrote: post #56
throwanem wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can do that second one already. Nothing requires that where you have a hire car drop you off be where you are actually going. Just, you know, tell the driver another place. (And don't let the app use background location data.)

You'd need to be familiar enough with the place to know the name of nearby places though.

Or you could look up the address, and scroll down the map for a block or two.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#128

Post by whorleater »

PDoyle wrote: post #119
reubensutton wrote: post #6

My concern with this is the problem of ensuring the safety of the person driving the cab and the real identity of the rider. Lots of drivers will be reluctant because they can be stiffed on the bill. Lots of passengers will be reluctant to use it due to the inherent risk of riding with what is essentially a stranger.

Dumb question - don't both of these concerns exist with normal taxis too?

Taxis, for all of their warts, have a number you can call, someone in the local government you can contact, etc.

Re: LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft

#129

Post by coriny »

Cozumel wrote: post #123
joeyspn wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then you live disconnected from the european news... googled in 3 seconds: [FRANCE] http://www.capital.fr/bourse/actualites/blablacar-uber-sont-... [SPAIN] http://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/2016/04/14/570f66... [UK] http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/60586... [NETHERLANDS] http://www.nu.nl/internet/4268012/autodeeldienst-blablacar-w... etc...

Paid media coverage is a far cry from regular people actually using/talking about it. I've never heard of them.

Loads of people use it for going to/from UK-France as it's generally the cheapest method (both for drivers and passengers).
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