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Announcing UberPool

blog.uber.com

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Re: Announcing UberPool

#71

Post by ladon86 »

jbarham wrote: post #67

Every time I read about Uber I wonder who the target market is. Then I remember that as a father of three young boys our car has three car-seats in the back row, a CD in the CD player and more in the glovebox to keep the boys quiet, snacks in the center console to placate them when they're hungry, and a stroller in the trunk. And then I realize that Uber is made by and for young, single, childless people with lots of…

And soon everyone else who doesn't have young kids, and then ultimately you: riding in the back of a far safer self-driving car.

You will be able to give your full attention to your children instead of having them distract you from the road. In the future it might seem downright irresponsible to drive your children yourself. Sure you'll drive for fun sometimes, but not with the kids in the back.

Re: Announcing UberPool

#72

Post by anywhichway »

jbarham wrote: post #67

Every time I read about Uber I wonder who the target market is. Then I remember that as a father of three young boys our car has three car-seats in the back row, a CD in the CD player and more in the glovebox to keep the boys quiet, snacks in the center console to placate them when they're hungry, and a stroller in the trunk. And then I realize that Uber is made by and for young, single, childless people with lots of…

Or just anywhere people take taxis, like when going to the airport, after a night of drinking, or on vacation without your car. If they can beat the normal cost of car ownership they could even take over commuting. Household will likely still need a car for kid transport and road trips, bit maybe not a second car. Anyone taking public transportation can easily augment it with uber for times when buses are less frequent.

Re: Announcing UberPool

#74

Post by dajohnson89 »

joelgrus wrote: post #54
downandout wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are Uber users this price conscious though? I think their core user base skews to a higher net worth, and aren't going to be the kinds of people that want to share a car with another person. The only thing they'll know about the person they are sharing with going in is that they are too cheap to take their own Uber ride. This just doesn't sound like it will work with their core user base. Maybe they are trying to exp…

I am starting a new job soon about 3 miles from my apartment, which is a little too far to walk. (I can walk that far, but I don't really want an hour-each-way commute.) One thing I've been considering is using Uber / Lyft, but it's a lot of money over the course of a year. At 40% cheaper it looks a lot more attractive, though. And sharing a car with another rider isn't any worse than sharing it with the driver! :)

The driver has an incentive to be nice. Your fellow rider doesn't.

Re: Announcing UberPool

#75

Post by soheil »

Almost in every single other country this has always been the way to ride a taxi.

"This is also a bold social experiment." come on!

They're making it sound like they discovered nuclear fusion.

Re: Announcing UberPool

#76

Post by AVTizzle »

>>Even if we don’t find an UberPool match for you, we’ll give you a discount on your ride.

That's huge.

A huge problem Hitch faces is having enough demand-side riders on the market to make the marketplace viable [1]

Uber is going to be subsidizing the demand-side of the marketplace until the marketplace matures and demand fills in.

[1] http://www.crewlab.net/uberpool

Re: Announcing UberPool

#77

Post by fred_durst »

dajohnson89 wrote: post #74
joelgrus wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am starting a new job soon about 3 miles from my apartment, which is a little too far to walk. (I can walk that far, but I don't really want an hour-each-way commute.) One thing I've been considering is using Uber / Lyft, but it's a lot of money over the course of a year. At 40% cheaper it looks a lot more attractive, though. And sharing a car with another rider isn't any worse than sharing it with the driver! :)

The driver has an incentive to be nice. Your fellow rider doesn't.

You really don't think Uber will be asking riders to rate their fellow passenger right after the ride? And then start displaying it to potential riders to help them decide if they want to take the share?

Re: Announcing UberPool

#78

Post by prawn »

jbarham wrote: post #67

Every time I read about Uber I wonder who the target market is. Then I remember that as a father of three young boys our car has three car-seats in the back row, a CD in the CD player and more in the glovebox to keep the boys quiet, snacks in the center console to placate them when they're hungry, and a stroller in the trunk. And then I realize that Uber is made by and for young, single, childless people with lots of…

Why does the target market need to be young, single and childless? It would work for couples without kids, or parents with kids who've left home or are being left with a sitter. Or families where the children can go 30 minutes without needing food or entertainment. Or older people who aren't keen to drive in a city or deal with parking.

Obviously those with young children specifically are in a different position and that's likely to be hard to address. You'll have a particular pram/stroller you use and specific snacks. You're more likely to be tied to your car if you don't want to be packing and unpacking each time. I get it - I have a car with a car seat for a 2yo. But there are also loads of times I'd use an Uber service alone or with my partner or even with a child if it were prevalent in my city.

Re: Announcing UberPool

#79

Post by prawn »

This could easily be extended to larger vehicles (minibus) plying regular and popular routes at peak times. Do a pick up from a few square blocks and drop in a particular work district. Could be more convenient than a bus and eventually approach the same pricepoint.
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