Thoughts on Uber?

[Eug]

I would be happy if they banned it here, and that our mayor would push for a ban, but he's too much of a wimp to push for that.

That all said, Uber and Lyft do provide their drivers with commercial insurance coverage, so the whole point is effectively moot.

That link is confirmation that Uber is operating by the seat of their pants legally.

 

[Thump553]

The only thing new about Uber is taxis are heavily regulated and Uber-not at all.

 

[Charmonium]

Truck drivers aren't supposed to defend the load with their life.

So there is no difference really.

Also that's a non-issue in many areas of the world where there is strong freight traffic, like the blue banana in Europe.

Also even if you have to put a security guard on the truck (also for refueling purposes, unless the truck drivers get rehired at fueling stations), the truck doesn't need to stop for compulsory rest periods, the guard can just sleep while it's driving.
That's cheaper.

I think it's going to be a while before you have fully automated trucks. And even when you do, I can see there being laws that require a human attendant for situations where something unexpected happens or there is a glitch. You'll just have people go from being drivers to more like night watchmen.

You'll also probably get an increase in tandem trailers like in Australia. Those make a lot more sense for long hauls and with automated driving, they should be a lot safer.

 

[drebo]

I'd love to see the same thing with our public school system.

Charter schools and magnet schools are becoming more popular...so it is happening.

 

[drebo]

Regarding future Economics. I really think something like the Star Trek economic system is what lies in our future. That is, kind of like European Socialism on steroids. Already the idea of Minimum Income is gaining traction with some Nations seriously considering it. That is something like Welfare, although usually up to twice as generous, except it's just given out with no strings attached. Whether that is sustainable or not is hard to say, I suspect that would depend on the willingness of the members of a society to improve their lot in life. If upward mobility is an attainable goal, people will be more likely to put effort into striving for more, for eg. Take away hope for improvement and they will just take the Minimum Income and live off that.

Many will be opposed to such measures on Ideological grounds, but I think that's based off misunderstanding even their own Reality. "Self Reliance" is no longer a possibility and hasn't been for a very longtime, at least as an Economic System. There are bound to be a few outliers, but anyone not living on a working farm isn't even close to Self Reliant. Most(in the Developed World) are certainly well off and not Wanting, but that's not the same as Self Reliant. As Uber and other examples show, One's well off position is always at risk in these times of Economic Change.

Star Trek style utopia is only possible post-scarcity. At that point, good will have no value and the economy will be 100% service-based. It also only works in an economy absent of currency. The idea of currency directly contradicts Star Trek utopian ideals.

To people siding with cab drivers, let me ask you this: should we have outlawed electricity for fear of the candle industry crashing?

 

[3chordcharlie]

Had a great ride home last night with a polite driver, in a clean, current-model Toyota Prius. The driver knew the city, his photo-ID displayed as required, the fare displayed and charged correctly. And I could easily contact the company if I had any concerns or questions about my ride.

See all y'all in the next tipping thread I'm sure.

https://xkcd.com/386/

 

[nageov3t]

this whole France thing is a joke... taxis aren't meeting the market's needs -- it's pretty much impossible to get a cab, even in a major city, late at night or on holidays, because the union drivers refuse to work the hours.

 

[TwiceOver]

My thoughts on Uber... Highly over valued company that is one ruling away from not existing. I honestly have no idea how it continues to get money from investors.

 

[KeithTalent]

Fuck the taxi drivers. Sorry not sorry you finally have some competition.

KT

 

[nageov3t]

My thoughts on Uber... Highly over valued company that is one ruling away from not existing. I honestly have no idea how it continues to get money from investors.

it's the future... I don't know anyone in NYC who's ever used the service and been like "man, I really wish I could have stood on a street corner like an asshole trying to hail a cab in the pouring rain for 20 minutes instead."

 

[Crusty]

I would be happy if they banned it here, and that our mayor would push for a ban, but he's too much of a wimp to push for that.


That link is confirmation that Uber is operating by the seat of their pants legally.

I really don't understand your point of view. You have mentioned that they do nothing wrong, just that you think they are sleazy and are operating by the seat of their pants. What makes them sleazy?

Are you also afraid of any sort of company that challenges their current industry? Innovation is a good thing...

 

[zerocool84]

Charter schools and magnet schools are becoming more popular...so it is happening.

Yup there are tons of Charter schools popping up now.

Competition is weeding out the shitty taxi system.

 

[Ns1]

What makes them sleazy?

Treating employees as independent contractors to start.

 

[Charmonium]

My thoughts on Uber... Highly over valued company that is one ruling away from not existing. I honestly have no idea how it continues to get money from investors.

It's a worldwide phenomenon. A ruling in one country isn't going to prevent their doing business in another. A law banning ride sharing services in a major economy like the EU or US would definitely be a problem for them. I can't speak to the situation in the EU but I'll guess that it's a lot like the US inasmuch as the central authorities leave matters such as this to state and local govt. In that case, the likelihood that most local authorities would ban the service doesn't seem likely.

And even in areas where they do try to ban it, those authorities might not be successful. I mean if services like Uber and Lyft comply with all of the relevant regulations, IOW those that actually make sense in terms of health and safety, then it's going to tough to outlaw them. I can see that some additional local restrictions might be applied but I don't see how you can have an outright ban even if it's what the govt wants.

Also, never forget the power of lobbyists. They pretty much run our govt in the US and huge enterprises like the ride services can afford to buy the influence that they need.

 

[TwiceOver]

it's the future... I don't know anyone in NYC who's ever used the service and been like "man, I really wish I could have stood on a street corner like an asshole trying to hail a cab in the pouring rain for 20 minutes instead."

I'm not saying it isn't a great idea, I'm saying the way they are running the business is basically bullshit.

 

[pcslookout]

Uber is awesome!

 

[Mai72]

It's a worldwide phenomenon. A ruling in one country isn't going to prevent their doing business in another. A law banning ride sharing services in a major economy like the EU or US would definitely be a problem for them. I can't speak to the situation in the EU but I'll guess that it's a lot like the US inasmuch as the central authorities leave matters such as this to state and local govt. In that case, the likelihood that most local authorities would ban the service doesn't seem likely.

And even in areas where they do try to ban it, those authorities might not be successful. I mean if services like Uber and Lyft comply with all of the relevant regulations, IOW those that actually make sense in terms of health and safety, then it's going to tough to outlaw them. I can see that some additional local restrictions might be applied but I don't see how you can have an outright ban even if it's what the govt wants.

Also, never forget the power of lobbyists. They pretty much run our govt in the US and huge enterprises like the ride services can afford to buy the influence that they need.

Uber is currently worth over $10B! That kind of money can buy a lot of political power.

 

[Fenixgoon]

at least here in the US, it seems like uber and lyft are trying to skirt some labor laws - a california court (or was the labor board/dept of labor, can't remember) ruled in the last few weeks that uber drivers were in fact employees of uber, not independent contractors. there's also insurance issues, which have been or will be sorted out. an uber driver hit a pedestrian and there was an issue over whether that should be covered by uber's insurance or the driver's personal vehicle insurance.

i went to LAX the other day, and rather than spending $25-30 on a regular cab fare, i split a ride with another person through uber. it cost me $10 instead.

as far as being nice, i would say my uber experience has generally been better than taxis. also, taxi drivers HATE credit cards, at least here in LA. uber/lyft are infinitely easier with electronic payments.

but uber also treats its drivers like shit over the long term. the washington post did an excellent article discussing how fares change over time, driver ratings and availability affecting number of fares received, and the overall earnings capability of uber drivers. basically, when all is said and done, an uber driver is likely to earn minimum wage or maybe a little more.

so uber isn't all it's cracked up to be. i think the overall concept is absolutely a gamechanger in transportation. infinitely more convenient than taxis. uber/lyft are what taxi services *should* be. but as far as how uber and similar services "fit" within existing legal framework (labor laws and laws governing taxi/transportation services), there's definitely going to be plenty of lawsuits flying around and it will take a while for the dust to settle.

 

[unokitty]

How Uber Takes Over a City

It’s nearly impossible to calculate Uber’s ground war costs because many cities and states don’t require the disclosure of lobbying costs. Those that do show that influencing policy doesn’t come cheap. Take Texas. In 2013, Uber had no registered lobbyists in the state. Last year, it reported 14, and so far this year, that’s grown to 28 who have registered to work on Uber’s behalf, with contracts that could total $420,000 to $945,000, according to the filings, more than Philip Morris and Pfizer. In the past year, Uber spent $208,000 in Maryland and $684,000 in California.

City-level battles can be costly, too. Last year, Uber put more than $600,000 into a voter referendum in Seattle and spent $314,000 lobbying in Washington, D.C. The Portland campaign looks quaint by comparison. Uber reported spending about $68,000 on outside lobbyists in Portland and Oregon in the last two quarters.

A little different perspective on Uber.

Uno

 

[Anubis]

There's one taxi company where I live that has prices comparable to Uber so it can be done. I think the issue in major metro areas is the cost of the license. In NYC for example, I think a hack license cost several hundred grand - it might be more now since my information is dated. There's no way you can compete with a Uber or Lyft with that kind of overhead. It's like having an underwater mortgage. You're working basically just to pay off the loan you had to take out to get the license.

this is the real issue, and its why cabs are so damn expensive. which is why uber is popular


I was in Taiwan last year and I took cabs to and from where I was working and it was 30-45 min depending on traffic, it cost under 5$ once converted.

that would have been over 10x that here

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

this is the real issue, and its why cabs are so damn expensive. which is why uber is popular


I was in Taiwan last year and I took cabs to and from where I was working and it was 30-45 min depending on traffic, it cost under 5$ once converted.

that would have been over 10x that here

Are they unionized in the states? Thats the only reason I can believe they are so high here because I totally agree.

I've had cabs in Japan & Russia, neither compared to how much it is here.

 

[JM Aggie08]

God's gift to earth.

As long as Uber services the area I am in, I will never use a taxi again.

 

[Mai72]

this is the real issue, and its why cabs are so damn expensive. which is why uber is popular


I was in Taiwan last year and I took cabs to and from where I was working and it was 30-45 min depending on traffic, it cost under 5$ once converted.

that would have been over 10x that here

Yea, I remember taking cabs in South Korea. A 20m trip would cost be $2-3 USD.

Back home in NJ the same fare would have cost me $25 easily.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

drivers rate their passengers. next time you go for a ride you can ask the driver what your rating is.

 

[Phoenix86]

this is the real issue, and its why cabs are so damn expensive. which is why uber is popular


I was in Taiwan last year and I took cabs to and from where I was working and it was 30-45 min depending on traffic, it cost under 5$ once converted.

that would have been over 10x that here

And all that licensing, which is imposed by us, is getting us what exactly? Uber shows how the model is beyond bloated.

Average price in NY is $1MM for a medalion.