Interesting, I’ve nothing bad to say about the typical ride experience. I usually get a car quickly and can get to where I need to go. That said, there was one person who was not a great driver. They managed to miss an exit, putting us a few miles our way while I was sitting in the back seat with a broken arm. That was… interesting. That’s where taxi companies are general better, since there is a higher barrier to entry.
I’ve never experienced surge pricing, but from what I understand it is successful at its aim: getting cars to where they are needed fast. That said, I can understand feeling fleeced.
But yeah, my main complaint is really that big businesses were able to essentially subsidize rides initially, then take advantage of their position once they cornered the market.
@pingveno Glad the experience is better across the ocean. 😁
But yeah, my main complaint is really that big businesses were able to essentially subsidize rides initially, then take advantage of their position
On the flip side, if this competition makes a service better overall, it is welcome from my side, imo (especially when it comes to transport). Before that, taxi companies used to offer very poor service (to say the least) - and even now you have to pay attention to various shenanigans of them:
Dirty vehicles, some vehicles even in bad shape
They are allowed to smoke inside (they usually ask you right after they light the cigar if it’s okay with you)
You have to pay attention to the meter
You have to pay attention to the route they take (sometimes they will just take the longer route, so you can pay more) - otherwise you can get a premium trip where you can see dozens of train stations, tens of triumphal arches and two Palaces of Parliament
Drivers can get rude (at best) or outright violent (at worst) if they disagree with you on the ride.
Plus some of the bad habits mentioned before, but which are way more widespread among taxi drivers.
Yet they still complain how Uber is taking their passengers and what they can do to stop this.
(and yea, taxi companies don’t do shit about this behavior)
Interesting, I’ve nothing bad to say about the typical ride experience. I usually get a car quickly and can get to where I need to go. That said, there was one person who was not a great driver. They managed to miss an exit, putting us a few miles our way while I was sitting in the back seat with a broken arm. That was… interesting. That’s where taxi companies are general better, since there is a higher barrier to entry.
I’ve never experienced surge pricing, but from what I understand it is successful at its aim: getting cars to where they are needed fast. That said, I can understand feeling fleeced.
But yeah, my main complaint is really that big businesses were able to essentially subsidize rides initially, then take advantage of their position once they cornered the market.
@pingveno Glad the experience is better across the ocean. 😁
On the flip side, if this competition makes a service better overall, it is welcome from my side, imo (especially when it comes to transport). Before that, taxi companies used to offer very poor service (to say the least) - and even now you have to pay attention to various shenanigans of them:
Yet they still complain how Uber is taking their passengers and what they can do to stop this.
(and yea, taxi companies don’t do shit about this behavior)