41–50 of 61 posts
I don't get it. Doesn't every airport in the world have taxis waiting. Why would you need an app to get a taxi at an airport.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Uber's justification for surge pricing is that the waits for cabs would be unacceptably long without it. If it's cutting hours off what the wait time would be without surge pricing, then that claim is correct. If it's a 20-second difference then a reasonable person would disagree.
I'm confused as to why Uber's justification matters. If surge pricing seems unjust to you, don't pay surge prices. Use a competitor, like taxis or your bike.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, one advantage is having any competition at all. The taxi market has been so badly broken for so long that just being able to introduce new drivers and companies results in lower prices and better service all around.
I agree, but in the context of the comment you're responding to, this is subsumed in evading regulation. You are more or less saying, "Taxi regulations are bad because they reduce competition without corresponding advantages that outweigh the cost, so Uber's wins when it evades those regulations and reintroduces competition." But it's still "evading regulations." Although I'd prefer to think of it as avoiding regulat…
Moving to Uber as I have means I don't have to pay the ridiculous 10% to use a card. Originally the only way to pay card with a taxi was to use the company "cabcharge" who put their terminals in the cabs and the 10% was charged anytime card was used instead of cash. This has nothing to do with regulation and there has been an investigation started around it.
Further to this the cab companies are charging $2.50 (flagfall) + ~$3.00 (booking fee) if I book through them online or over the phone. The booking fee doesn't go to the cabbie, just to the company for picking up the phone. Uber charges me $3.50 flat. Once again, not regulation.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm confused as to why Uber's justification matters. If surge pricing seems unjust to you, don't pay surge prices. Use a competitor, like taxis or your bike.
The "don't use it" argument drives me absolutely nuts. It's a terrible argument and extremely lazy.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm confused as to why Uber's justification matters. If surge pricing seems unjust to you, don't pay surge prices. Use a competitor, like taxis or your bike.
The "don't use it" argument drives me absolutely nuts. It's a terrible argument and extremely lazy.
The main selling point of Uber is the app--but eventually Yellow Cab, et al will also have slick apps. What's the long term competitive advantage, besides evading regulation? Self driving cars, most likely.
If Taxi drivers had simply been willing to pick people up who call into dispatch (or book via Taxi Magic), Uber probably wouldn't exist.
I remember when I was in Russia back in 2205 and it was so much simpler than that. I just went to the edge of the road and raised my hand. within seconds a car pulled up. How much to go to the central bus station I asked. He quoted the price, I knew that I had the right change in my pocket because in Russia, you always keep mental track of what you have. I got in, we drove a few km to the station. I got the cash out…
I remember when I was in Russia back in 2205 and it was so much simpler than that. I just went to the edge of the road and raised my hand. within seconds a car pulled up. How much to go to the central bus station I asked. He quoted the price, I knew that I had the right change in my pocket because in Russia, you always keep mental track of what you have. I got in, we drove a few km to the station. I got the cash out…
ah yes, Russia, the shining example of libertarian utopia.
I don't get it. Doesn't every airport in the world have taxis waiting. Why would you need an app to get a taxi at an airport.
The only downside is that there's a short wait if I don't time the ride request just right. Since there are tons of taxis at the airport, I wouldn't have to wait taking a taxi. But the above more than makes up for this point.
One problem with the ride-sharing apps (Lyft and Uber) is insurance companies are now wise to them. I just got my renewal, and they specifically exclude coverage for vehicle damage, occupant injuries, pedestrian injuries, and pretty much everything else, should your vehicle be used in a ride-sharing program.