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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

#361

Post by radarsat1 »

nicky0 wrote: post #358
radarsat1 wrote: post #313

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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 In rural communities here in Chile, and also in smaller towns, there is an amazing solution to this called Collectivo. I had never heard of it before arriving, but man it's the greatest thing. It's something in-between a bus and…

Americans don't like sharing.

Rural Americans? I don't have any experience in rural America, but I heard they're pretty friendly ;)

But maybe, yeah..

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

#362

Post by hwestiii »

Nice to see. Uber, Lyft, et al have always seemed like exactly the wrong solution here. The availability of the vehicle and the demand for it are inherently local phenomnena, so why should some arbitrary company who knows where be the major broker for dealing with this issue worldwide? I understand network effects, etc., but it seems that localized brokerage would serve all parties the best.

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

#363

Post by tekknik »

hwestiii wrote: post #362

Nice to see. Uber, Lyft, et al have always seemed like exactly the wrong solution here. The availability of the vehicle and the demand for it are inherently local phenomnena, so why should some arbitrary company who knows where be the major broker for dealing with this issue worldwide? I understand network effects, etc., but it seems that localized brokerage would serve all parties the best.

One massive benefit is increased resources for vetting drivers. How is my safety both ensured and insured with LibreTaxi?

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

#364

Post by xtracto »

parasanti wrote: post #154
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…

Uber is trying to address the Credit Card issues after it noticed that lots of Singaporeans, maids and foreign labor do not have credit cards but still needs the service. They accept cash now. https://www.techinasia.com/uber-cash-payments-singapore

The same thing happens in Guadalajara, Mexico.

One interesting thing an Uber driver told me is that, depending on the area of the city, the majority of people pay with cash or with card. So when he needs cash he drives to a certain area to catch a service.

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

#367

Post by wruza »

exDM69 wrote: post #53
superquest wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

True — which is why I said "works less well" and not "doesn't work". And you're absolutely right that safety is relative ;) Author was also implying that they were visiting Russia. It's much harder to assess safety when you're not a resident, especially when you don't speak the language. And the fact that because many people in a culture engage in some behavior says little about its safety — e.g. riding scooters in S…

> Author was also implying that they were visiting Russia. Yes, Russia especially is one of those places where every car on the road is a potential taxi and a lot of people use them. I haven't visited personally but friends of mine who have did tell about their experiences on hailing rides from strangers without knowing the language. Don't take my anecdote as a safety recommendation or evidence of it. It's a matter o…

Once a taxi service gets enough drivers in the city here in Russia, it becomes highly preferable than random on-the-road vehicle. It automatically means that you get more precise (or even fixed) billing, pretty clean and decent cars, and drivers are motivated to not bother you in any way, because taxis usually have quality feedback that makes driver 'priority'. Going directly to the road is a last resort, even if you're already outside. It is not much for a physical safety, but service.

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

#368

Post by CaptainZapp »

SilasX wrote: post #243
galdosdi wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shouldn't be an obstacle. This is already exactly how normal, hailable, regulated taxis work (at least in much of the USA, and certainly in NYC -- I can't speak for elsewhere). That's why taxi driver is (at least in the US) a statistically more dangerous occupation than police officer. From the point of view of a driver, this scheme is less dangerous than the status quo, at least there is potentially a little more pa…

I have to disagree that this is "exactly how normal taxis work". Notable differences (many apply to Uber/Lyft also): 1) There's no check to ensure that the vehicle is ensured for commercial rides before they start taking hails. 2) Likewise, no background check. 3) No regulatory body to investigate cases of e.g. scamming passengers out of money or refusal to comply with agreed-upon rates and dropoff. [1] 4) The local…

All of the above, plus:

Taxi drivers, at least herearound, have mandatory rest periods, which are very strictly enforced. I know that for a fact, since my girlfriend used to drive a cab. Even if you adhere to your rest period (and can prove it), but don't have the paperwork straight this can lead to hefty fines.

There's nothing stopping your friendly Uber driver to drive you around after two back breaking shifts at the factory.

He may even quaff a couple beers, or three, before starting his "Uber shift". Something which is an absolute No!No! for a licensed cabbie. They have very stringent zero tolerance rules when it comes to booze. Your Uber driver does not.

I can't speak for the rest of the world, but imagine that this situation is quite comparable to a lot of places.

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

#369

Post by logancg »

prance wrote: post #209
galdosdi wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shouldn't be an obstacle. This is already exactly how normal, hailable, regulated taxis work (at least in much of the USA, and certainly in NYC -- I can't speak for elsewhere). That's why taxi driver is (at least in the US) a statistically more dangerous occupation than police officer. From the point of view of a driver, this scheme is less dangerous than the status quo, at least there is potentially a little more pa…

"at least in much of the USA, and certainly in NYC" Here in Kenya, and much of the developing world, things are quite different. Traditionally, people would save known and trusted drivers in their phonebook, and call them when needing a taxi. If you're somewhere far from your drivers, you might call a friend who lives there and ask them. That's how we got started on our own app ( http://maramoja.co.ke ): we let peopl…

This is an extremely interesting example of how a technological fix can emerge in a difficult situation. Transferable to the US context, too. Thanks!

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

#370

Post by Noos »

radarsat1 wrote: post #313
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…

> 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 In rural communities here in Chile, and also in smaller towns, there is an amazing solution to this called Collectivo. I had never heard of it before arriving, but man it's the greatest thing. It's something in-between a bus and…

If you're a rural family, how will you bring groceries back for the month? What if you need to buy a new bed or sofa? What if you have to visit off the route, or it's just snowed and the collectivo owner doesn't want to bother with the route?

Americans own cars because it's convenient to do many different things with them. If I own a car and my child is sick, I can go get medicine from the all-night pharmacy. I don't want to give up that power just because social planners think I should be happy with a bus or car that I have to plan my life around, not the other way.

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