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Introducing UberTAXI

blog.uber.com

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Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#21

Post by wlj »

easytiger wrote: post #15
izolate wrote: post #10

As a non Uber customer, why would I use this over Hailo? And why would Uber customers opt for a more expensive taxi when the same application has a cheaper option? When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo.

> When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo. What!? Hailo now does private cab hire firm booking, which led to lots of Black cab drivers removing support for it

He may be referring to this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7115177

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#22

Post by popey »

QuadDamaged wrote: post #13

Good timing, because in about 1 hour from now, at 14:00 BST / 13:00 UTC (as if there were such a thing as British Summer), the London Black Cabs will stage a protest that will gridlock London. Not that anyone stuck in London traffic will be able to tell the difference. Article from the Beeb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27783218 edit: DST is hard

14:00 BST is 13:00 UTC, not 15:00 UTC.

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#23

Post by kitbrennan »

izolate wrote: post #10

As a non Uber customer, why would I use this over Hailo? And why would Uber customers opt for a more expensive taxi when the same application has a cheaper option? When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo.

One of the main benefits over Hailo is that it doesn't appear to have Hailo's minimum pricing: https://hailocab.com/drivers/blog/2013/02/04/minimum-fares-s...

I imagine it will also have different drivers, so it may be worthwhile having both apps. I often find myself with a 10 minute wait for Uber when a Hailo taxi is 2 minutes away, and vice-versa.

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#24

Post by tomp »

corin_ wrote: post #19
QuadDamaged wrote: post #13

Good timing, because in about 1 hour from now, at 14:00 BST / 13:00 UTC (as if there were such a thing as British Summer), the London Black Cabs will stage a protest that will gridlock London. Not that anyone stuck in London traffic will be able to tell the difference. Article from the Beeb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27783218 edit: DST is hard

Off-topic, but... > as if there were such a thing as British Summer Have you not looked outside lately? We're having it right now!

It's 23 C outside. Maybe warm for London, but not "summer".

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#25

Post by jrochkind1 »

viraptor wrote: post #14
izolate wrote: post #10

As a non Uber customer, why would I use this over Hailo? And why would Uber customers opt for a more expensive taxi when the same application has a cheaper option? When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo.

My guess is it's more about politics than actual service. Basically saying "hey, taxis are so much different we can even offer them as a completely separate service. UberX / Uber are not taxis." This may come useful if/when TfL changes their mind, or some court forces this discussion.

To me, it sends the opposite message actually that Uber pretty much is the same as a taxi; they can incorporate taxis into uber in a way that works pretty much the same for the end-user (but with regulated rates).

With legal threats to their attempts to make an end-run around taxi regulation, it makes sense they are trying to diversify and have an income stream via regulated taxis as well.

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#26

Post by jrochkind1 »

JackWebbHeller wrote: post #7
timparker wrote: post #5

Pay twice as much to be in a black cab? Defeating whole reason of using Uber.. luckily we have choices, thanks UberX.

Actually it follows the same fare rate as the taxis themselves, plus 5% extra to Uber for the convenience of the service. Fare info: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares?ci...

According to the announcement in OP, the 5% commission is paid by the driver, the rider still pays the exact same regulated fare right. At least that's how I read it, I think that's what "commission" usually means.

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#29

Post by [deleted] »

easytiger wrote: post #15
izolate wrote: post #10

As a non Uber customer, why would I use this over Hailo? And why would Uber customers opt for a more expensive taxi when the same application has a cheaper option? When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo.

> When I use black cabs here in London, I'd much rather use an established and local product from a company with less questionable ethics. That's Hailo. What!? Hailo now does private cab hire firm booking, which led to lots of Black cab drivers removing support for it

[deleted]

Re: Introducing UberTAXI

#30

Post by QuadDamaged »

popey wrote: post #22
QuadDamaged wrote: post #13

Good timing, because in about 1 hour from now, at 14:00 BST / 13:00 UTC (as if there were such a thing as British Summer), the London Black Cabs will stage a protest that will gridlock London. Not that anyone stuck in London traffic will be able to tell the difference. Article from the Beeb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27783218 edit: DST is hard

14:00 BST is 13:00 UTC, not 15:00 UTC.

Give me a sec I have some code I need to fix...
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