Have you ever used Uber/Lyft (1 Viewer)

[urbanhack]

5.0

 

[Aerial Assault]

I represent two cab companies that are doing just fine. There are changes on the way, too.

A day late and a dollar short. No offense to you, but I ####ing hate cabs.

None taken. Changes are much needed. And a newly energized and reformed cab industry (which I believe is the likely outcome) is the answer, not a company that treats its "partners" like hot garbage. I understand the appeal of the service at the consumer level, but Uber is not some Robin Hood-style strikeback against greedy taxi barons.

 

[The General]

Do taxi companies treat their drivers well?

 

[urbanhack]

Do taxi companies treat their drivers well?

Not really.

I'm saving 20%+ here in chicago by taking Uber instead of cabs.

 

[Fennis]

I represent two cab companies that are doing just fine. There are changes on the way, too.

A day late and a dollar short. No offense to you, but I ####ing hate cabs.

None taken. Changes are much needed. And a newly energized and reformed cab industry (which I believe is the likely outcome) is the answer, not a company that treats its "partners" like hot garbage. I understand the appeal of the service at the consumer level, but Uber is not some Robin Hood-style strikeback against greedy taxi barons.

If it were not for Uber, the taxi companies would still be as ####ty as ever with no need to become newly energized or reformed.

 

[bagger]

I also dislike paying a premium price for premium things at a premium time.

lol this.

 

[El Floppo]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

 

[fantasycurse42]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

You know Brooklyn Heights is loaded with those green cabs? Same price as the yellow ones - Honestly, I think it is easier getting one of those than a yellow cab.

For your comparison, cost is very similar with no surge (variance of no more than 5-10%). Uber is a more comfortable car than a yellow taxi. Depending on the time of the day, could be more convenient - 3 out of days a week at rush hour there is a surge, usually in the 1.5-2.4x range. As it gets colder, I expect that to be more like 4/5 of the week. When there is no surge during rush hour, I love the convenience - I request the car when I'm getting ready to shut the computer and when I see it is 2 blocks away I'll head down.

 

[RUSF18]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

It will almost definitely be cheaper, non-surge, if you don't tip with Uber (I don't) but do tip with cabs. But the few times I do need one in NYC these days (I'm in Hoboken now), I find it easier to just grab a cab. If I'm having difficulty getting a cab, it usually means I'd be paying surge pricing with Uber.

 

[Capella]

Took a cab from the hotel to the airport yesterday because no ubers were nearby quick enough. Was $110. Uber estimates were 55-60.

Cabs can pretty much get ####ed.

 

[tdoss]

5.0

Never knew this was a thing...just got my email...my average is 5.0

I've never tipped Uber...not once.

 

[El Floppo]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

You know Brooklyn Heights is loaded with those green cabs? Same price as the yellow ones - Honestly, I think it is easier getting one of those than a yellow cab.

For your comparison, cost is very similar with no surge (variance of no more than 5-10%). Uber is a more comfortable car than a yellow taxi. Depending on the time of the day, could be more convenient - 3 out of days a week at rush hour there is a surge, usually in the 1.5-2.4x range. As it gets colder, I expect that to be more like 4/5 of the week. When there is no surge during rush hour, I love the convenience - I request the car when I'm getting ready to shut the computer and when I see it is 2 blocks away I'll head down.

good to hear about the green cabs. I wasn't trying to do my usual brooklyn bashing, fwiw.

so typical price variation is tilted towards Uber being 5-10% cheaper, or more expensive?

the convenience thing is a definite bonus- regardless of the usual availability of cabs, you never know when you're going to run into a black-hole of unavailability (other than the usual 4-5pm shift-change)- and especially at rushhour.

 

[The General]

Just doing expense report from a trip this weekend in LA area:

Burbank airport to my hotel by Taxi 19.9 miles: $61.25 without tip

Hotel to LAX by Uber 27 miles: $37.32

 

[fantasycurse42]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

You know Brooklyn Heights is loaded with those green cabs? Same price as the yellow ones - Honestly, I think it is easier getting one of those than a yellow cab.

For your comparison, cost is very similar with no surge (variance of no more than 5-10%). Uber is a more comfortable car than a yellow taxi. Depending on the time of the day, could be more convenient - 3 out of days a week at rush hour there is a surge, usually in the 1.5-2.4x range. As it gets colder, I expect that to be more like 4/5 of the week. When there is no surge during rush hour, I love the convenience - I request the car when I'm getting ready to shut the computer and when I see it is 2 blocks away I'll head down.

good to hear about the green cabs. I wasn't trying to do my usual brooklyn bashing, fwiw.

so typical price variation is tilted towards Uber being 5-10% cheaper, or more expensive?

the convenience thing is a definite bonus- regardless of the usual availability of cabs, you never know when you're going to run into a black-hole of unavailability (other than the usual 4-5pm shift-change)- and especially at rushhour.

If you don't tip the driver it prob works out to be slightly cheaper, the difference is very small though. If there is no surge, I guess I prefer Uber.

The biggest difference I see (besides the quality of automobile which favors Uber) in NYC is a good percentage of the Uber drivers have no clue where they're going.

 

[Scoresman]

Just doing expense report from a trip this weekend in LA area:

Burbank airport to my hotel by Taxi 19.9 miles: $61.25 without tip

Hotel to LAX by Uber 27 miles: $37.32

This has been my experience as well. Did many Airport->Hotel trips and back, once via taxi, once by Uber, and Uber is always around half the price.

Thankfully, Uber is starting to be allowed to pick up at certain airports now.

 

[dhockster]

Uber drive here.

If offered a tip, we are supposed to tell the rider that tipping is not required. If they insist, we are allowed to take the tip. Most people insist.

I get tipped on maybe 10% of my rides. It doesn't bother me because I knew this was the practice going in. The rating I give the rider has nothing to do with getting tipped. I give 90% of my riders a 5 because that's what they deserve.

I don't particularly like Uber as a company because I think they are somewhat ethically challenged, but I don't mind their consideration of me as an independent contractor. I am an independent contractor in that I set my own hours and I use my own equipment to perform my job. I drive about once a week and if I were an employee and didn't have control over when I worked, I probably wouldn't drive for them. They have cut the driver's fare percentage from 80% to 75% since I have been working for them, so I don't appreciate that, but that is the nature of the business. I have upgraded to driving Uber select so that will keep me driving as my fares will be higher. I don't know if it would be worth my time if I had to keep driving UberX all the time.

As to surge pricing (and this is based on my experience in Houston): Weekday rush hours (particularly mornings) you may find surge pricing, but it will probably be centered around a few very specific areas. Obviously weekend nights you get more surge pricing particularly at 2 AM when the bars close. Any weeks with big conferences, Concerts, big sporting events, or the rodeo will bring surge pricing. The thing is surge pricing doesn't generally last very long in a specific area unless there is a very busy event that is ongoing. If you are at a Texans game, don't Uber when the game is over or you are likely to run into surge pricing. Hang out for a little bit (Maybe 1/2 hour to an hour) when most people have left and you will avoid the surge pricing.

The overriding comments I get from Uber riders (95% of which are happy about Uber) is that Taxi's have been totally unreliable. They either take forever to come or don't show up at all or try to manipulate the fare somehow. Uber is usually there quickly, and you know what your fare is going to be before you accept the ride. Unless Taxi's address their underlying service issues, they will have trouble, at least in Houston, where Uber is very popular.

 

[Aerial Assault]

I represent two cab companies that are doing just fine. There are changes on the way, too.

A day late and a dollar short. No offense to you, but I ####ing hate cabs.

None taken. Changes are much needed. And a newly energized and reformed cab industry (which I believe is the likely outcome) is the answer, not a company that treats its "partners" like hot garbage. I understand the appeal of the service at the consumer level, but Uber is not some Robin Hood-style strikeback against greedy taxi barons.

If it were not for Uber, the taxi companies would still be as ####ty as ever with no need to become newly energized or reformed.

I know; sorry, that was part of my point but I stated it poorly.

For me the true value of Uber (looking macro) is to reform an industry that had become severely complacent. Of course there are some micro, consumer-level benefits, particularly in ridiculous places to catch cabs like Los Angeles and San Diego. But Uber's business model is unsustainable IMO. So my hope is that they will hang around long enough to force changes in the cab industry. Incidentally, hard as it is to believe, there are some in the cab industry who want this as well.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Do taxi companies treat their drivers well?

Compared to Uber? Yes. Compared to the U.S. average across all industries, probably not, but (sorry for this brief moment of lefty soapboxing) that's a damn low bar right now.

 

[El Floppo]

Uber drive here.

If offered a tip, we are supposed to tell the rider that tipping is not required. If they insist, we are allowed to take the tip. Most people insist.

I get tipped on maybe 10% of my rides. It doesn't bother me because I knew this was the practice going in. The rating I give the rider has nothing to do with getting tipped. I give 90% of my riders a 5 because that's what they deserve.

I don't particularly like Uber as a company because I think they are somewhat ethically challenged, but I don't mind their consideration of me as an independent contractor. I am an independent contractor in that I set my own hours and I use my own equipment to perform my job. I drive about once a week and if I were an employee and didn't have control over when I worked, I probably wouldn't drive for them. They have cut the driver's fare percentage from 80% to 75% since I have been working for them, so I don't appreciate that, but that is the nature of the business. I have upgraded to driving Uber select so that will keep me driving as my fares will be higher. I don't know if it would be worth my time if I had to keep driving UberX all the time.

As to surge pricing (and this is based on my experience in Houston): Weekday rush hours (particularly mornings) you may find surge pricing, but it will probably be centered around a few very specific areas. Obviously weekend nights you get more surge pricing particularly at 2 AM when the bars close. Any weeks with big conferences, Concerts, big sporting events, or the rodeo will bring surge pricing. The thing is surge pricing doesn't generally last very long in a specific area unless there is a very busy event that is ongoing. If you are at a Texans game, don't Uber when the game is over or you are likely to run into surge pricing. Hang out for a little bit (Maybe 1/2 hour to an hour) when most people have left and you will avoid the surge pricing.

The overriding comments I get from Uber riders (95% of which are happy about Uber) is that Taxi's have been totally unreliable. They either take forever to come or don't show up at all or try to manipulate the fare somehow. Uber is usually there quickly, and you know what your fare is going to be before you accept the ride. Unless Taxi's address their underlying service issues, they will have trouble, at least in Houston, where Uber is very popular.

thanks, dh- very good info there.

 

[El Floppo]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

You know Brooklyn Heights is loaded with those green cabs? Same price as the yellow ones - Honestly, I think it is easier getting one of those than a yellow cab.

For your comparison, cost is very similar with no surge (variance of no more than 5-10%). Uber is a more comfortable car than a yellow taxi. Depending on the time of the day, could be more convenient - 3 out of days a week at rush hour there is a surge, usually in the 1.5-2.4x range. As it gets colder, I expect that to be more like 4/5 of the week. When there is no surge during rush hour, I love the convenience - I request the car when I'm getting ready to shut the computer and when I see it is 2 blocks away I'll head down.

good to hear about the green cabs. I wasn't trying to do my usual brooklyn bashing, fwiw.

so typical price variation is tilted towards Uber being 5-10% cheaper, or more expensive?

the convenience thing is a definite bonus- regardless of the usual availability of cabs, you never know when you're going to run into a black-hole of unavailability (other than the usual 4-5pm shift-change)- and especially at rushhour.

If you don't tip the driver it prob works out to be slightly cheaper, the difference is very small though. If there is no surge, I guess I prefer Uber.

The biggest difference I see (besides the quality of automobile which favors Uber) in NYC is a good percentage of the Uber drivers have no clue where they're going.

cool- thanks.

I could see preferring Uber too, if there's no price difference... for the reasons you said- nicer cars and convenience. fwiw- I feel like a decent percentage of cabbies don't know their way around the city either.

but it also seems like NYC is an outlier relative to the rest of the country, given the sheer amount and availability of taxis. I remember in SF, it was more like Brooklyn (pre green cab) where you'd have to call a taxi service for one... they weren't just everywhere driving aroudn like they are here. sounds like that's more typical of how things are everywhere else too... is that true? no readily available cabs in Chicago or Boston?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Took a cab from the hotel to the airport yesterday because no ubers were nearby quick enough. Was $110. Uber estimates were 55-60.

Cabs can pretty much get ####ed.

The difference is just ridiculous.

Airport fares you save at least half in all the spots I've used Uber and a cab. In the city the discrepancy isn't likely as much, but there's no chance I'd ever use a cab from an aiport unless Uber simply isn't available.

 

[Aerial Assault]

it's interesting the savings everybody's mentioning vs taxis.

I haven't ubered much... a few times. seemed similarly priced or more than taking a cab- non-surge. that's here in NYC, but I'm clearly not an expert given my small sample-size of usage... just what I found. and given the preponderance of yellow cabs here, it feels like why bother. I know the wife uses it occasionally to take one of the kids somewhere when she's running late and doesn't have time to risk there not being an open taxi available. but it's never been a cost-savings thing on her part.

so... for NYCers using Uber- is it any cheaper than the yellow cabs?

eta: and please- keep it related to Manhattan and yellow cabs. I know you borough folk have a legitimately harder time with cab availability and have a history of using car-services.

You know Brooklyn Heights is loaded with those green cabs? Same price as the yellow ones - Honestly, I think it is easier getting one of those than a yellow cab.

For your comparison, cost is very similar with no surge (variance of no more than 5-10%). Uber is a more comfortable car than a yellow taxi. Depending on the time of the day, could be more convenient - 3 out of days a week at rush hour there is a surge, usually in the 1.5-2.4x range. As it gets colder, I expect that to be more like 4/5 of the week. When there is no surge during rush hour, I love the convenience - I request the car when I'm getting ready to shut the computer and when I see it is 2 blocks away I'll head down.

good to hear about the green cabs. I wasn't trying to do my usual brooklyn bashing, fwiw.

so typical price variation is tilted towards Uber being 5-10% cheaper, or more expensive?

the convenience thing is a definite bonus- regardless of the usual availability of cabs, you never know when you're going to run into a black-hole of unavailability (other than the usual 4-5pm shift-change)- and especially at rushhour.

If you don't tip the driver it prob works out to be slightly cheaper, the difference is very small though. If there is no surge, I guess I prefer Uber.

The biggest difference I see (besides the quality of automobile which favors Uber) in NYC is a good percentage of the Uber drivers have no clue where they're going.

cool- thanks.

I could see preferring Uber too, if there's no price difference... for the reasons you said- nicer cars and convenience. fwiw- I feel like a decent percentage of cabbies don't know their way around the city either.

but it also seems like NYC is an outlier relative to the rest of the country, given the sheer amount and availability of taxis. I remember in SF, it was more like Brooklyn (pre green cab) where you'd have to call a taxi service for one... they weren't just everywhere driving aroudn like they are here. sounds like that's more typical of how things are everywhere else too... is that true? no readily available cabs in Chicago or Boston?

No, IMO cabs are plentiful in Chicago. I have never lived in Boston for more than a couple/few weeks at a time (biz trips) so I'm not as knowledgeable and will defer to others, but in my last trip there, cabs were easily found. You're right to some extent about San Francisco. But for my money LA and SD are the real problem children among big cities in terms of availability and gouging, and it sounds like Houston has an issue too.

 

[fantasycurse42]

SF sucks for taxis IMO.

 

[RUSF18]

Do taxi companies treat their drivers well?

Compared to Uber? Yes. Compared to the U.S. average across all industries, probably not, but (sorry for this brief moment of lefty soapboxing) that's a damn low bar right now.

NYC cab drivers will dispute this.

 

[Fennis]

4.8 rating? WTF!

too high IMO

 

[El Floppo]

4.8 rating? WTF!

you're a little... smelly. didn't want to have to be the one to tell you, but that rating pretty much puts it out there.

 

[TheAristocrat]

4.9

Pretty sure the Saturday rides after GABF lowered my rating as we were obnoxious drunks that night. Especially after we poured whiskey onto the beer drunk.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Does anybody know that if you split a ride with someone does the driver get to rate you both separately?

I've never done this. How does it work if you're both at separate locations traveling to different locations?

Assume the driver picks one up, the next on the way, drops off the first, and then the furthest location? Ride is then split 50/50. Assume it also takes longer to get a car?

 

[elbowrm]

4.8 here also. Had traveled with a ####load of my wife's luggage in the couple of years when I though tips were included. Most likely culprit in my estimation. Cancelled trip drivers can't rate you, can they?

 

[The General]

I have read that your score unless really bad is completely useless.

 

[Scoresman]

4.8 rating? WTF!

You probably forgot to physically force your $5 tip down the driver's throat.

 

[RUSF18]

Does anybody know that if you split a ride with someone does the driver get to rate you both separately?

I've never done this. How does it work if you're both at separate locations traveling to different locations?

Assume the driver picks one up, the next on the way, drops off the first, and then the furthest location? Ride is then split 50/50. Assume it also takes longer to get a car?

I don't believe it works like that. It's just point A to point B like all rides. Once your ride is confirmed, you get an option to split the fare with however many people you choose as it's linked through your contact list. The other person will get a notification "FC42 wants to split a fare, do you accept?".

 

[fantasycurse42]

Does anybody know that if you split a ride with someone does the driver get to rate you both separately?

I've never done this. How does it work if you're both at separate locations traveling to different locations?

Assume the driver picks one up, the next on the way, drops off the first, and then the furthest location? Ride is then split 50/50. Assume it also takes longer to get a car?

I don't believe it works like that. It's just point A to point B like all rides. Once your ride is confirmed, you get an option to split the fare with however many people you choose as it's linked through your contact list. The other person will get a notification "FC42 wants to split a fare, do you accept?".

I think he is referring to the carpool option.

 

[dhockster]

Does anybody know that if you split a ride with someone does the driver get to rate you both separately?

No, the driver only rates the rider who requested the ride. We do not get any information on any splitting of fares between riders.

Also, Drivers to not rate riders who have cancelled trips.

 

[dhockster]

4.8 rating? WTF!

You probably forgot to physically force your $5 tip down the driver's throat.

They'd be lucky if I gave them $1.

Hey, wait a minute, some of us do a really good job! On second thought, if $1 means that much to you, I am probably better off if you keep it.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Bucky - Uber carpool, please explain.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

5.0

Never knew this was a thing...just got my email...my average is 5.0I've never tipped Uber...not once.

That's pretty much the standard. Unless they are unreasonably rude, puke, or jump out of the car while it is still moving, riders get a five.

 

[Fennis]

5.0

Never knew this was a thing...just got my email...my average is 5.0I've never tipped Uber...not once.

That's pretty much the standard. Unless they are unreasonably rude, puke, or jump out of the car while it is still moving, riders get a five.

I HAVE DONE NEITHER OF THOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

48 out of 50 drivers find bucky reasonably rude

 

[Fennis]

:mop math:

 

[Fennis]

5.0

Never knew this was a thing...just got my email...my average is 5.0I've never tipped Uber...not once.

That's pretty much the standard. Unless they are unreasonably rude, puke, or jump out of the car while it is still moving, riders get a five.

I HAVE DONE NEITHER OF THOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

48 out of 50 drivers find bucky reasonably rude

It was probably the grumpy French drivers when I was in Paris.

When I was in Paris, one of my Uber drivers told me about the battles between taxi drivers and Uber drivers: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/26/business/international/uber-protests-france.html?_r=0

When I looked for that article I saw that now Uber drivers are protesting Uber in Paris over cuts in rates: http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/9/9486041/uber-france-drivers-protest-paris-fare-cut

 

[JShare87]

Say I wanted to go somewhere about 40 miles away from my home. After being dropped off at the location I'd like to go back home after about 3-4 hours. How does this work? Can you schedule an appointment with a certain driver? Would that driver stay close to the location, or would I just have to get another uber back home when I was ready? Sorry if the answer or something close to the answer is buried in this thread.

 

[elbowrm]

You may want to confirm that they had uber in that area first - go into the app and use your destination as the pickup address and see if cars show up.

 

[tdoss]

Uber drive here.

If offered a tip, we are supposed to tell the rider that tipping is not required. If they insist, we are allowed to take the tip. Most people insist.

I get tipped on maybe 10% of my rides. It doesn't bother me because I knew this was the practice going in. The rating I give the rider has nothing to do with getting tipped. I give 90% of my riders a 5 because that's what they deserve.

I don't particularly like Uber as a company because I think they are somewhat ethically challenged, but I don't mind their consideration of me as an independent contractor. I am an independent contractor in that I set my own hours and I use my own equipment to perform my job. I drive about once a week and if I were an employee and didn't have control over when I worked, I probably wouldn't drive for them. They have cut the driver's fare percentage from 80% to 75% since I have been working for them, so I don't appreciate that, but that is the nature of the business. I have upgraded to driving Uber select so that will keep me driving as my fares will be higher. I don't know if it would be worth my time if I had to keep driving UberX all the time.

As to surge pricing (and this is based on my experience in Houston): Weekday rush hours (particularly mornings) you may find surge pricing, but it will probably be centered around a few very specific areas. Obviously weekend nights you get more surge pricing particularly at 2 AM when the bars close. Any weeks with big conferences, Concerts, big sporting events, or the rodeo will bring surge pricing. The thing is surge pricing doesn't generally last very long in a specific area unless there is a very busy event that is ongoing. If you are at a Texans game, don't Uber when the game is over or you are likely to run into surge pricing. Hang out for a little bit (Maybe 1/2 hour to an hour) when most people have left and you will avoid the surge pricing.

The overriding comments I get from Uber riders (95% of which are happy about Uber) is that Taxi's have been totally unreliable. They either take forever to come or don't show up at all or try to manipulate the fare somehow. Uber is usually there quickly, and you know what your fare is going to be before you accept the ride. Unless Taxi's address their underlying service issues, they will have trouble, at least in Houston, where Uber is very popular.

I can attest to the waiting period for surge. Wife and I shut down a bar in OC after the OC Fair. Initial surge was 2. something...I don't remember. Wife kept telling me to get it booked...we walked a half block to the gas station and bought some water. Booked the Uber while inside...just a few minutes later and the surge was already down to 1.5.

Like all other FBG's...I've got boatloads of cash...what does a few percentage points matter? And why choose Uber over a cab just to save 1/2 the total cost?

Because when I arrive at my destination...I have a lot more money to throw on the bonfire as we roast marshmallow smores coated in gold leaf when we choose Uber.

 

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Been a while since I've ridden with someone who wasn't an ESL immigrant with a check engine light on. Not that there is anything wrong with either... just a sign of the decline of the product in Memphis.

 

[dhockster]

Been a while since I've ridden with someone who wasn't an ESL immigrant with a check engine light on. Not that there is anything wrong with either... just a sign of the decline of the product in Memphis.

In Houston, a lot of the cab drivers started to drive for Uber, Could be something similar in Memphis.

 

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Been a while since I've ridden with someone who wasn't an ESL immigrant with a check engine light on. Not that there is anything wrong with either... just a sign of the decline of the product in Memphis.

In Houston, a lot of the cab drivers started to drive for Uber, Could be something similar in Memphis.

Yeah I think that's what I'm seeing. Went from a nice clean, articulate driver in a clean, odor-free car... to cabs 2.0 lately.

 

[tdoss]

Been a while since I've ridden with someone who wasn't an ESL immigrant with a check engine light on. Not that there is anything wrong with either... just a sign of the decline of the product in Memphis.

In Houston, a lot of the cab drivers started to drive for Uber, Could be something similar in Memphis.

Yeah I think that's what I'm seeing. Went from a nice clean, articulate driver in a clean, odor-free car... to cabs 2.0 lately.

But for half the cost of cabs 1.0, right?

 

[dhockster]

Been a while since I've ridden with someone who wasn't an ESL immigrant with a check engine light on. Not that there is anything wrong with either... just a sign of the decline of the product in Memphis.

In Houston, a lot of the cab drivers started to drive for Uber, Could be something similar in Memphis.

Yeah I think that's what I'm seeing. Went from a nice clean, articulate driver in a clean, odor-free car... to cabs 2.0 lately.

Agreed. I worry about cab drivers driving for uber and ruining my reputation as an uber driver.

 

[McGarnicle]

Had my first dispute today. Overcharged about $10 because the guy couldn't find me. "Driver arriving" popped up and he got there 15 minutes later. Let's see how they handle it.

 

[dhockster]

Had my first dispute today. Overcharged about $10 because the guy couldn't find me. "Driver arriving" popped up and he got there 15 minutes later. Let's see how they handle it.

Had he started his meter before you got in the car? That's ridiculous. I don't start the fare until the passenger gets in the car.

Be sure to give him a low rating. We need to weed out the bad drivers (or ones who are trying to game the system).