Uber CEO Stunned When He Heard Cost of 3-Mile Uber Ride • Hacker News Board

Re: Uber CEO Stunned When He Heard Cost of 3-Mile Uber Ride

#91

Post by marcus_holmes » Tue, Aug 08, 2023, 12:46 AM UTC

Ajedi32 wrote: post #83

marcus_holmes wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Uber has never considered its drivers to be employees. I think it sees itself as a marketplace - selling driver time to riders. So it makes sense that the plan was always to take more of the pie for itself once it got enough power to do that. Like Amazon with Audible - if you're the only game in town then you can charge whatever you like, so they do.

> if you're the only game in town then you can charge whatever you like Did I miss Lyft going out of business or something? Or is this more of a duopoly type situation?

Android is around too (with the Apple app store example). So, yeah, I guess?

Re: Uber CEO Stunned When He Heard Cost of 3-Mile Uber Ride

#92

Post by mcpackieh » Tue, Aug 08, 2023, 5:24 AM UTC

freeopinion wrote: post #84

mcpackieh wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amtrak at night is quiet, generally pretty empty, and very civilized. Nothing at all like an intra city bus or subway. But I think many Americans would never even give it a chance. Maybe that's why it's so nice...

I've tried to give Amtrak a chance. But I don't live in the northeastern part of the USA. So I would have to drive a few hours to get to a train station, then spend 24 hours longer on the train than I could drive in a car. And it would cost me a lot more to ride the train than to drive myself. I think there is more than one reason that Americans "never give it a chance".

Well I'm talking in the context of the NE, I'm well aware that the routes are sparse elsewhere. Amtrak is very good for DC to NYC but most Americans wouldn't give it a chance even in this context.

Re: Uber CEO Stunned When He Heard Cost of 3-Mile Uber Ride

#93

Post by jonny_eh » Tue, Aug 08, 2023, 6:30 PM UTC

bawolff wrote: post #86

jonny_eh wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It says this on the Uber website: > In these cases of very high demand, prices may increase to help ensure that those who need a ride can get one. This system is called surge pricing, and it lets the Uber app continue to be a reliable choice. The fact that only a fraction of the fare increase goes to the driver is misleading at best. https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/driver-app/how-surge-works/

It sounds like they are saying - we increase prices so that less people use the app so we can service all the people who do. It is only a misleading statement if you put words in uber's mouth beyond what they say. I don't see anything here suggesting they increase prices to increase supply instead of decreasing demand.

Your interpretation is far too generous to Uber.

> prices may increase to help ensure that those who need a ride can get one

Why are you using the app if you don't need a ride? I agree that it's purposely vague, which makes it intentionally confusing.

Here's another link: https://www.uber.com/us/en/marketplace/pricing/surge-pricing

> This encourages more drivers to serve the busy area over time and shifts rider demand, to maintain reliability and restore balance.

> Surge pricing is a relief valve for the rideshare marketplace. Without it, when demand for rides exceeds the number of available drivers, riders would wait longer (or might not be able to get a ride at all). Drivers would have less incentive to accept requests in busy areas. Surge pricing helps restore balance to the network. By waiting a bit longer, riders can avoid the surge price.