61–65 of 65 posts
Uber started with boat services in Stockholm today. I thought that was bigger news :) You might want to translate this somehow but here: http://blog.uber.com/UberBAT
I wonder if this is part of some larger campaign -- maybe there are more Uber* stuff going on in other cities? UberRICKSHAW!
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> 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
So why is it bad for Hailo to do private cab hire booking?
Taxis in a lot of big euro cities are on strike at the moment because of what they deem unlicensed taxi services. Uber is being mentioned specifically. So while it's good for uber that they are announcing new services id much rather they sort my problem of spending a few extra hours getting to airport and a few more extra hours getting out of the airport today
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They are shifting all of the liability to the people who can least afford it. So far they have done everything in their power to not protect drivers like in the case last month. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Uber-denies-fault-in-S... An uber driver killed a girl, but Uber is claiming they are not liable because he did not have an active fare at the time. It is unlikely this driver can ever make the family who…
Not to say that Uber does not have questionable ethics, but I think your two examples are wrong. Uber is now insuring their drivers as long as they are logged into the app. http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5508568/uber-expands-drive... The car seizure you reference was in Belgium for a service that technically complies with local laws according to Uber and they are providing legal assistance to the two owners of the…
There have been many car seizures in the US and abroad. Many of these independent contractors do not have the resources to fight a legal battle without the help of Uber.
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> ...from a company with less questionable ethics Ok, I'll bite. What is questionable about Uber's ethics?
Things like its "Safe Rides Fee": http://valleywag.gawker.com/why-is-uber-charging-you-extra-t... And questionable promotions: http://valleywag.gawker.com/uber-used-the-boston-bombing-ann... And [allegedly] intentionally triggering surge pricing: http://www.thewire.com/technology/2014/02/uber-busted-intent... And otherwise just acting as if the rules just don't apply to them: http://www.straight.com/news/uber-town-ca…
I don't see a problem with surge pricing. If people aren't willing to pay then it won't last long. I'd like to see them have a bidding system to make it purely market driven.
I also don't see anything unethical with fighting unethical laws. Here in Austin we're in a very similar situation. The existing transportation companies have passed laws to entrench their positions and eliminate competition (eg min "black car" fares). Those laws are unethical. They do not protect us, they are anti-consumer.