I'm beginning to think that Uber is a rip off. Can anyone explain in detail how their fares run? When I called I get 2 different stories. Regular Chicago cabs have like a $3 dollar initial pull and then 1.20 a mile plus. I'm tempted to take the bus or subway but am afraid of the crime at 2AM when the bars close.
Uber Taxi Versus Regular Cabs......
- Thread starter qwerty1234
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It's confusing this is what I see
901, yeah sure is.
jamesBond, I cant drive because I'm a bit "toasty" at 2AM.
jamesBond, I cant drive because I'm a bit "toasty" at 2AM.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
901, yeah sure is.
jamesBond, I cant drive because I'm a bit "toasty" at 2AM.
I thought you were doing good with your sobriety?
901, yeah sure is.
jamesBond, I cant drive because I'm a bit "toasty" at 2AM.
I thought you were doing good with your sobriety?
Nick, I fell off the wagon about a month ago. The harsh truth I learned at the A&A meetings are that a low % of people can stay sober. I would guess only about 10-15% of people.
Yeh so might as well not even try right?....
Yikes.
Yikes.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Nick, I fell off the wagon about a month ago. The harsh truth I learned at the A&A meetings are that a low % of people can stay sober. I would guess only about 10-15% of people.
I think you mean that it's 10% of the people who are doing 90% of the drinking. If it's those 10% of the people who are showing up at the AA meetings, then I guess 10-15% of those can stay sober might be accurate. At least you're not getting behind the wheel. When you're toasty it doesn't really matter how much Uber is, as long as they get you home.
Do you ever wonder how much you spend on drinking? And how much you would have now if you saved your money and invested it? On the other hand, I've known a few people who ended up drinking themselves to death and they were young, in their 40's. Just somewhat surprising how common it is.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk...-will-tell-you/
Nick, I fell off the wagon about a month ago. The harsh truth I learned at the A&A meetings are that a low % of people can stay sober. I would guess only about 10-15% of people.
I think you mean that it's 10% of the people who are doing 90% of the drinking. If it's those 10% of the people who are showing up at the AA meetings, then I guess 10-15% of those can stay sober might be accurate. At least you're not getting behind the wheel. When you're toasty it doesn't really matter how much Uber is, as long as they get you home.
Do you ever wonder how much you spend on drinking? And how much you would have now if you saved your money and invested it? On the other hand, I've known a few people who ended up drinking themselves to death and they were young, in their 40's. Just somewhat surprising how common it is.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk...-will-tell-you/
Wolf, I never cared much about what I spent drinking. They threaten me with prison time after my 3rd DUI in 15yrs of driving. Thank God, for the Chicago Police who gave me a felony I-bond. I think I have a serious problem with the booze.
One thing that is always questionable about Uber is their pricing. For good or for bad, in the taxi industry, in almost every jurisdiction, pricing isn't allowed to fluctuate at a whim, and it must be posted on the vehicle, and the pricing must be administered by a meter that is certified accurate on a periodic basis, and sealed afterwards.
So, as all kinds of little problems creep into view with Uber, the company itself or the jurisdictions in which it operates will simply add regulation on top of regulation, incrementally, just like the taxis, until "Uber" and "taxi" will become indistinguishable.
Many years ago, in a lot of jurisdictions, a taxi didn't have to have a specific colour, or a specific paint scheme, or any stickers, or specific signage inside or outside, either. The only thing identifying the vehicle as a taxi was the topsign, which could be removed when out of service. Eventually, between company policy and bylaws, we saw colour schemes, stickers, decals, inspection stickers, bylaw signage, and so forth incrementally added.
Had the Uber people actually observed what the industry was like in the late 1960s onwards, and how things evolved, they would realize very quickly that they're not exactly innovative, nor would they be in such a rush to pat themselves on the back for avoiding regulations. They haven't invented or created or innovated anything.
Before long, some jurisdictions will expect signage on an Uber vehicle. Someone will have an emergency and the police won't be able to identify an Uber vehicle. Or, someone will get in the wrong vehicle. Taxis look like taxis, and not like speedboats, or cube vans, or boy racer mobiles, or garbage trucks for a reason. People need to be able to identify them. Then, Uber vehicles will be wearing garish paint jobs and/or signage, too. Remember, many taxis are just a person's own private vehicle, that they use for their day to day lives. They just spend twelve hours a day "sharing" it with the public. There was resistance when those regulations and policies came to taxis, too. I remember. I was there.
Then, someone will have qwerty1234's pricing concern. And, this person won't complain on BITOG. He will raise holy heck with Uber, his municipal council, or state or provincial authority. Then, pricing will have to be displayed. And, it won't be on a smartphone or a website. It will be required on a non-removable, highly visible sticker, that the Uber person/taxi driver will hate. Again, I've been there. Then, wait until they have to buy something to administer pricing in a manner than can be inspected, as in a taxi meter. Don't forget dash cams and interior cams.
This is why I laugh at taxi drivers who are all up at arms against Uber, too. There are almost no drivers in the industry currently who were there when I started driving. I can count all of them in the city on one hand. For people in the business from when I started at the periphery, before I drove, when these changes started, even fewer are left. The current drivers don't know what the taxi industry went through, and don't understand what faces Uber. Uber invented nothing. They innovated nothing.
They didn't invent a practical wristwatch smartphone. They didn't invent a quantum computer. They didn't make chemical rocketry obsolete. They didn't relegate the ICE to the dustbin of history. They just reinvented the taxi. To make matters worse, they actually turned back the clock on themselves. They get to experience all the pains of new regulatory regimes, already completed by regular taxis, all in time to watch the driverless car render them both obsolete simultaneously.
Uber is as innovative as would be Ford avoiding CAFE by selling horses.
So, as all kinds of little problems creep into view with Uber, the company itself or the jurisdictions in which it operates will simply add regulation on top of regulation, incrementally, just like the taxis, until "Uber" and "taxi" will become indistinguishable.
Many years ago, in a lot of jurisdictions, a taxi didn't have to have a specific colour, or a specific paint scheme, or any stickers, or specific signage inside or outside, either. The only thing identifying the vehicle as a taxi was the topsign, which could be removed when out of service. Eventually, between company policy and bylaws, we saw colour schemes, stickers, decals, inspection stickers, bylaw signage, and so forth incrementally added.
Had the Uber people actually observed what the industry was like in the late 1960s onwards, and how things evolved, they would realize very quickly that they're not exactly innovative, nor would they be in such a rush to pat themselves on the back for avoiding regulations. They haven't invented or created or innovated anything.
Before long, some jurisdictions will expect signage on an Uber vehicle. Someone will have an emergency and the police won't be able to identify an Uber vehicle. Or, someone will get in the wrong vehicle. Taxis look like taxis, and not like speedboats, or cube vans, or boy racer mobiles, or garbage trucks for a reason. People need to be able to identify them. Then, Uber vehicles will be wearing garish paint jobs and/or signage, too. Remember, many taxis are just a person's own private vehicle, that they use for their day to day lives. They just spend twelve hours a day "sharing" it with the public. There was resistance when those regulations and policies came to taxis, too. I remember. I was there.
Then, someone will have qwerty1234's pricing concern. And, this person won't complain on BITOG. He will raise holy heck with Uber, his municipal council, or state or provincial authority. Then, pricing will have to be displayed. And, it won't be on a smartphone or a website. It will be required on a non-removable, highly visible sticker, that the Uber person/taxi driver will hate. Again, I've been there. Then, wait until they have to buy something to administer pricing in a manner than can be inspected, as in a taxi meter. Don't forget dash cams and interior cams.
This is why I laugh at taxi drivers who are all up at arms against Uber, too. There are almost no drivers in the industry currently who were there when I started driving. I can count all of them in the city on one hand. For people in the business from when I started at the periphery, before I drove, when these changes started, even fewer are left. The current drivers don't know what the taxi industry went through, and don't understand what faces Uber. Uber invented nothing. They innovated nothing.
They didn't invent a practical wristwatch smartphone. They didn't invent a quantum computer. They didn't make chemical rocketry obsolete. They didn't relegate the ICE to the dustbin of history. They just reinvented the taxi. To make matters worse, they actually turned back the clock on themselves. They get to experience all the pains of new regulatory regimes, already completed by regular taxis, all in time to watch the driverless car render them both obsolete simultaneously.
Uber is as innovative as would be Ford avoiding CAFE by selling horses.
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
I would guess only about 10-15% of people.
I have no idea about the truth of that statistic. I do know that one can never be part of the successful group, whatever the percentage is, without trying, though.
I would guess only about 10-15% of people.
I have no idea about the truth of that statistic. I do know that one can never be part of the successful group, whatever the percentage is, without trying, though.
I used Uber for the first time in Houston last week. It was definitely cheaper than a taxi, and even about 5 buck cheaper than the "Super Shuttle" at the airport. Plus, my ride was direct, no stops at other hotels for the rest of the cattle on the van. No driver with his hand out for a tip either. I was pleasantly surprised and quite pleased.
The biggest factor for me is the convenience. Once the app is downloaded and installed, I could arrange my ride while doing something else. I know ehat kind of car is coming and have a picture of the driver along with reviews. I can see where the car is on its way to me and how long before it arrived. Receipt is emailed, no need to search for it later when I am doing my expenses. No other method I know of comes close to the ease of use.
I am someone who appreciates the value of convenience. I would typically pay more for it. If uber was 10% more than a regular taxi I would still use it. In this case, it was more than 20% less. Better product for less money. I'll use Uber again.
The biggest factor for me is the convenience. Once the app is downloaded and installed, I could arrange my ride while doing something else. I know ehat kind of car is coming and have a picture of the driver along with reviews. I can see where the car is on its way to me and how long before it arrived. Receipt is emailed, no need to search for it later when I am doing my expenses. No other method I know of comes close to the ease of use.
I am someone who appreciates the value of convenience. I would typically pay more for it. If uber was 10% more than a regular taxi I would still use it. In this case, it was more than 20% less. Better product for less money. I'll use Uber again.
Originally Posted By: JamesBond
Just drive
+1
(If possible)
Just drive
+1
(If possible)
The millenials, and a bunch of older folks also absolutely love the concept of paging a car on their mobile device. That is the key to their business model. When the other cabs get just as good at this, then Uber may not be as successful.
Most uber users would probably let regular cabs go past while awaiting the Uber car to show up.
Most uber users would probably let regular cabs go past while awaiting the Uber car to show up.
Cab companies are doing their mobile phone app. This is the problem that I'm talking about with innovation. Uber thinks they're something special and innovative. Remember that taxis could coordinate a ride for you before cell phones existed, and even before home phones had total penetration. They invested in a lot of infrastructure and capital to ensure taxis would congregate where they were useful. They invested in radio equipment when such stuff was exceedingly expensive and highly regulated. They invested in multiple phone lines at their place of business and free direct lines at popular locations back when the only alternative was a pay phone.
Now, a lot of the dispatch system actually is a cell phone application. Before, a taxi had $5,000 worth of equipment and the company invested hundreds of thousands in radio and telephone equipment. Now, guys with apps on a disposable phone think they're innovative.
Uber may have pushed this stuff forward a bit more quickly with taxis, but believe me, some cab companies were on this earlier on, too. A cab company would gladly retire radios and the licensing fees and use cell phone apps for dispatch. Some companies got expensive, dedicated electronic dispatch systems years and years ago (i.e. in Saskatoon). Some waited and grabbed apps on cell phones very recently, like in Regina.
Uber is an international taxi company. They just don't know it yet. In Canada, wait until the GST people get their hands on the Uber drivers. I saved the biggest, most unpleasant surprise for last, it would seem.
Now, a lot of the dispatch system actually is a cell phone application. Before, a taxi had $5,000 worth of equipment and the company invested hundreds of thousands in radio and telephone equipment. Now, guys with apps on a disposable phone think they're innovative.
Uber may have pushed this stuff forward a bit more quickly with taxis, but believe me, some cab companies were on this earlier on, too. A cab company would gladly retire radios and the licensing fees and use cell phone apps for dispatch. Some companies got expensive, dedicated electronic dispatch systems years and years ago (i.e. in Saskatoon). Some waited and grabbed apps on cell phones very recently, like in Regina.
Uber is an international taxi company. They just don't know it yet. In Canada, wait until the GST people get their hands on the Uber drivers. I saved the biggest, most unpleasant surprise for last, it would seem.
The key difference between Uber and a regular taxi is that Uber can't pick up regular street hails. The key bit that made taxi's valuable was their ability to pick people up from the streets. That's what their license allowed them to do. Uber is not picking up random people on the streets. You have to make arrangements in advance. Those companies existed long before Uber did, we used to call them black cars as they were typically Lincolns. I use to use them instead of a taxi once in a while and companies use to contract with them exclusivity, it was a much nicer ride and the price was about a 1/4 to a 1/3 less than a taxi.
Well, street pickups were very important in the days when one relied on the possible lack of public phones. And, other hired cars would still have to follow the basic taxi rules. As it stands, limos don't get to do street pickups, despite following almost all the same regulatory procedures as taxis.
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
you are probably guzzling 4x what uber is charging you every night. put that into perspective.
OMG, the man is going through the torment of addiction - his Universe crosses ours, but that's about it.. 'talking sense' is not going to work.
qwerty, you may have a chemical dependency. Seek help, many things are stronger than Man.
Not your fault, if this is true. Could be an enzyme deficiency, could be even an immune system anomaly, a lot of this is a genetic lottery.
Uber is at price war with cab companies in many jurisdictions, and right now they are the "best deal" in many a town. But the price dumping they carry on leads to overworked drivers and bold tires. They are tricky crooks for both sides they connect.
you are probably guzzling 4x what uber is charging you every night. put that into perspective.
OMG, the man is going through the torment of addiction - his Universe crosses ours, but that's about it.. 'talking sense' is not going to work.
qwerty, you may have a chemical dependency. Seek help, many things are stronger than Man.
Not your fault, if this is true. Could be an enzyme deficiency, could be even an immune system anomaly, a lot of this is a genetic lottery.
Uber is at price war with cab companies in many jurisdictions, and right now they are the "best deal" in many a town. But the price dumping they carry on leads to overworked drivers and bold tires. They are tricky crooks for both sides they connect.
What's so confusing about their pricing? Press "Get Fare Estimate" before you summon the driver and you'll know how much you'll be charged. Taxis are the ones with confusing pricing because you don't know the fare until you arrive at your destination.
Uber is more than just a taxi. A significant part of their service is now uberPool which is for commuters. They are also doing food delivery.
Uber is more than just a taxi. A significant part of their service is now uberPool which is for commuters. They are also doing food delivery.
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