Uber/Lyft and Taxi Cabs

[Ed B]

The tolls are tacked on to the ride. At least they were when I went across the JFK from Brooklyn.

We all love Uber because it's a convenient service. Everyone is happy. If the drivers weren't happy they wouldn't exist.

 

[Bill Hicklin]

drivers cannot see the destination until they start the ride- with you in the car. This is uber. Not a taxi.

Like it's any different with a cab? You hail it, you get in, then you tell him where you want to go.

 

[DotStudio]

No sane driver wants to drive from NJ to JFK in the afternoon. They cannot pickup in NY, and their return tolls are not paid by Uber. Estimated trip was 80 minutes. Actual was 2.5 hours ONE WAY.

We all love Uber because it exploits the drivers to keep costs down.

I suppose my drivers were insane recently then i took an uber from nj to Madison square garden and back again for the clapton concert.

 

[filtersweep]

I suppose my drivers were insane recently then i took an uber from nj to Madison square garden and back again for the clapton concert.

How much did it cost? How long did it take?

 

[filtersweep]

Like it's any different with a cab? You hail it, you get in, then you tell him where you want to go.

True enough. But with Uber, you DO give your destination in the app. That info can be made available prior to pickup. It should be better than a taxi.

 

[Ed B]

True enough. But with Uber, you DO give your destination in the app. That info can be made available prior to pickup. It should be better than a taxi.

It's for good reason. To keep things fair among drivers. If they allow drivers to see it. It will cause cherry picking.

 

[DotStudio]

How much did it cost? How long did it take?

If I remember correctly it took a shade over an hour. This is my receipt from the morning, my friend caught the uber the other way, which was afternoon. I believe the afternoon trip was a bit longer, but it was surprisingly tolerable.

 

[filtersweep]

It's for good reason. To keep things fair among drivers. If they allow drivers to see it. It will cause cherry picking.

It doesn't have to be that specific. It could be by zone, estimated duration, etc. Or they could better incentivize longer trips.

As it is, it isn't fair to a driver who is tired, looking for a short local trip to find out a passenger wants to go out of state- after the passenger is in his car.

 

[Ed B]

It doesn't have to be that specific. It could be by zone, estimated duration, etc. Or they could better incentivize longer trips.

As it is, it isn't fair to a driver who is tired, looking for a short local trip to find out a passenger wants to go out of state- after the passenger is in his car.

The driver knows EXACTLY what their job entails. I don't understand how that is unfair.

 

[Harmony]

It's for good reason. To keep things fair among drivers. If they allow drivers to see it. It will cause cherry picking.

Yep, they could end up picking women only for example .

 

[Ed B]

Yep, they could end up picking women only for example .

Exactly! And their apps were updated for that specific reason. They used to show the persons first name. Not anymore.

 

[filtersweep]

The driver knows EXACTLY what their job entails. I don't understand how that is unfair.

Ok- so you have an important doctor appt in an hour, and after already driving seven hours, you pick up a passenger for a four hour trip? Not a good system.

 

[fry]

How many people are taking hours-long trips via Uber? Aren't 99% of the trips across town, or from the airport to some destination, something like that? I really don't think a four hour trip is a serious reality for most Uber drivers at any given time.

 

[Frogfur]

The only thing they're good for is a $40.00 tip for back backseat ride with Wonda..

Another $5.00 if you can video tape it..

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

How many people are taking hours-long trips via Uber? Aren't 99% of the trips across town, or from the airport to some destination, something like that? I really don't think a four hour trip is a serious reality for most Uber drivers at any given time.

US National average trip length is 6.4 miles.

http://www.sherpashareblog.com/2016...nger-and-faster-but-are-they-more-profitable/

 

[Ed B]

Ok- so you have an important doctor appt in an hour, and after already driving seven hours, you pick up a passenger for a four hour trip? Not a good system.

 

[cybermgk]

Like it's any different with a cab? You hail it, you get in, then you tell him where you want to go.

However, they can usually get a fare at the destination, where as pointed out above, NJ drivers to JFK can't from Uber and Lyft. They are not doing it part-time most likely, so won't have to way the time/length of ride impacting them having to get off in an hour, to work a main job. That's just a few differences, TOMH.

 

[SteveC]

Have you actually missed a flight because a driver did not honor his commitment? Can they not hand off your reservation to another driver? Is Lyft any better? We have been hesitant to use ride-sharing for the many early morning cross country flights we do but were wanting to take a chance on it.

I have had drivers accept, then while "on the way" - cancel. No handoff was ever made. I just called a taxi and requested a refund, which I got without incident.

 

[TheX]

Happy Friday to Uber.

London's transport authority announced Friday that it will not renew Uber's license, saying the company is not "fit and proper" to operate in the city.

Transport for London cited the company's approach to reporting serious criminal offenses, and its use of software that prevents regulators and law enforcement from monitoring the app.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said he "fully supports" the decision to not renew the license when it expires September 30.

"All companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect -- particularly when it comes to the safety of customers," he said in a statement. "Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security."

Uber said in a statement that it would "immediately challenge this [decision] in the courts."

It can continue to operate while it appeals.

"Transport for London and the mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice," Uber said. "If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport."

About 3.5 million Londoners have used Uber.

 

[Ed B]

Ut oh.