LibreTaxi – A free and open source alternative to Uber and Lyft • Hacker News Board

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

#131

Post by spIrr » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:32 PM UTC

I'll post a comment from ProductHunt, which might give a bit more context to where the founder sees this going, and why cash rides make sense under certain circumstances he designed the app for:

[…] I have gone to the founder's blog and it provides a better understanding of where he sees it going: Uber (and similar apps) will never reach many remote villages, cities and regions around the world (and don't have to), but technology could greatly help the local communities in solving their transportation problems that are as "simple" as getting from point A to point B with no other feasible options available.

For more details, here's the founder's blog on this: https://medium.com/@romanpushkin/how-i-made-uber-like-app-in...

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

#132

Post by iicc » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:32 PM UTC

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 if they profit they are either uninsured, or need to sort out extra cover.

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

#133

Post by 77pt77 » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:33 PM UTC

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.

How is that any different from taking a taxi nowadays?

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

#134

Post by angry-hacker » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:37 PM UTC

djmobley wrote: post #41

timthelion wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And how do Uper/Lyft prevent ax murderers? http://www.whosdrivingyou.org/rideshare-incidents

Considering the number of drivers/riders these services have, and the number of rides completed, I'd say that's an impressively small list of -- in many cases alleged -- incidents. There's no way you could reasonably expect a rideshare service to eliminate all such incidents.

But do you have anything to compare it with? Regular taxis, just hitchhiking etc? Maybe the whole safety thing is just fearmonger.

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

#135

Post by a3camero » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:37 PM UTC

macca321 wrote: post #67

Chris2048 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We need a "CryptoCab" app. Secure, signed verification of driver id. And the app will even pick a random location near your intended destination to disguise your true destination.

Uber apparently makes you take a photo of yourself and then does facial recognition to confirm the user at the start of a session.

Yup. It runs on Microsoft Cognitive Services: https://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2016/09/26/powered-by-m...

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

#136

Post by Cyph0n » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:38 PM UTC

77pt77 wrote: post #133

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.

How is that any different from taking a taxi nowadays?

Taxi drivers usually go through checks before they can get their license.

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

#137

Post by angry-hacker » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:40 PM UTC

martin-adams wrote: post #4

Interesting idea. So does this skip on any verification that the person can drive and car is safe to be in?

What does uber or lyft do to take care of the safety?

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

#138

Post by 77pt77 » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:42 PM UTC

Cyph0n wrote: post #136

77pt77 wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is that any different from taking a taxi nowadays?

Taxi drivers usually go through checks before they can get their license.

Not the clients.

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

#139

Post by mbostleman » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:47 PM UTC

Cash only. That makes it practical for me about .01% of the time.

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

#140

Post by sah2ed » Tue, Jan 31, 2017, 1:48 PM UTC

spIrr wrote: post #131

I'll post a comment from ProductHunt, which might give a bit more context to where the founder sees this going, and why cash rides make sense under certain circumstances he designed the app for: […] I have gone to the founder's blog and it provides a better understanding of where he sees it going: Uber (and similar apps) will never reach many remote villages, cities and regions around the world (and don't have to), b…

Was scratching my head why anyone would build an Uber clone but his explanation makes perfect sense. He is tackling a market that Uber might never enter -- rural areas.