Uber are getting shirty
Discussion
There are at least 4 other London apps out there , https://brokeinlondon.com/top-5-london-taxi-apps/
It is like some people only look at the big brands offerings.
It is like some people only look at the big brands offerings.
Hopefully this might be a wake up call for Uber-although given their precious record I’m not sure if they’ll take it!
Personally-I can see why Uber is well used. It’s cheap, the cars are normally clean, my girlfriend can send me a link to her journey if she’s travelling alone.
But on the other hand the sheer creepiness of some of the apps data collection and their lack of ethics has meant that I’ve never ended up downloading and using the app itself.
I’ve read quite a bit and it seems unless one thing changes rapidly there are two ways Uber can go-the company either folds because of its huge losses, or sorts out autonomous cars making drivers redundant (looking less likely due to their lawsuit with google)?
Personally-I can see why Uber is well used. It’s cheap, the cars are normally clean, my girlfriend can send me a link to her journey if she’s travelling alone.
But on the other hand the sheer creepiness of some of the apps data collection and their lack of ethics has meant that I’ve never ended up downloading and using the app itself.
I’ve read quite a bit and it seems unless one thing changes rapidly there are two ways Uber can go-the company either folds because of its huge losses, or sorts out autonomous cars making drivers redundant (looking less likely due to their lawsuit with google)?
StottyGTR said:
Seems like butt hurt from black cab drivers who have an influence in the decision.
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2...
''TfL considers that Uber's approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. These include:
Its approach to reporting serious criminal offences.
Its approach to how medical certificates are obtained.
Its approach to how Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are obtained.
Its approach to explaining the use of Greyball in London - software that could be used to block regulatory bodies from gaining full access to the app and prevent officials from undertaking regulatory or law enforcement duties.''
''Greyball is a software tool used by the ride-hailing service Uber to identify and deny service to certain riders, including riders who Uber suspects of violating its terms of service''
The whole greyball system seems to be aimed at the Government identification.
it is clear whatever the fanboys say Uber has a long list of ethical and morality issues over its use of the app, I have this judgement really shakes things up, it is amazing how people see a big brand and allow them full access for the convenience. Uber lost there license due to the lack of corporate responsibility.
SystemParanoia said:
Uber would never have gained so much traction here, if black cabs stopped for everyone, didn't constantly refuse work, and their card machines always worked.
Absolutely.Uber has have taken off the way it has because it is offering a service that was greatly appreciated by the public.
As much as I like seeing Black Cabs around the capital and other cities as part of our heritage, times have changed and they simply haven't kept pace with what the public want. They haven't even tried, they have actively resisted.
I for one don't want to have to carry cash, don't want to guess at how much a journey will cost, don't want to be bounced and rattled around in the back of a draughty steamed up old cab, and don't want to be moaned at by a grumpy driver who doesn't give a toss if he's pleasant or not.
Black cabs need to modernise, and rapidly.
Vaud said:
Mojooo said:
Listening to some people on the media you would think people had never heard of private hire vehicles. you don't have to use black cabs you know.
But they will be killed off as well. Lyft and Uber are the future service model.I support my local private hire for airport runs, etc, and will continue to do so as I live outside a city. They will continue to survive as the demand/supply ratio will favour them vs Uber and adjusted pricing models.
My local private hire company is great, they use an app just like uber where you can track the driver, set pick up points etc. If you’re not fussed about using the same app abroad, it’s better than uber.
The advantage they have is that they have loads of set contracts for things like school runs or local businesses etc. They’re actually cheaper than uber also. Some of the drivers do some uber work on the side. I think that’s how many work where they might work for a few different companies and even do some limo work with the same car and just log on to different apps depending on time of day etc.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/sep/22...
''Khalil said he was only earning around £5 per hour after paying his expenses, below the national minimum wage''
''Khurram Shahzad, 43, a father of two from east London, was one driver who felt pleased at the news. He said he was forced to close his own minicab business incurring a £50,000 loss when most of his 40 or so drivers switched to Uber which undercut his fares.''
the melodrama of people saying they will end up unemployed, there is demand so a vast majority will continue working.
''Khalil said he was only earning around £5 per hour after paying his expenses, below the national minimum wage''
''Khurram Shahzad, 43, a father of two from east London, was one driver who felt pleased at the news. He said he was forced to close his own minicab business incurring a £50,000 loss when most of his 40 or so drivers switched to Uber which undercut his fares.''
the melodrama of people saying they will end up unemployed, there is demand so a vast majority will continue working.
Sa Calobra said:
Progress? It's a taxi service for people who can't be arsed with public transport or exercise.
Reading though your posts on this thread, it is apparent you are seemingly in obsessed with the amount of walking and exercise that people do.Why do you care how people get around?
b
hstewie said:
It is amazing 400k people signed a petition for uber considering what is known about them, people really live in a bubble, just for themselves.hstewie said:Don said:
I don't think it was originally envisaged as a "taxi service". More as a "ride sharing enabling application". The idea being you could be driving somewhere, find someone who wanted to ride with you easily, and provide a way for them to share the cost of the journey.
This would have fallen afoul of every kind of legislation almost everywhere, so that's not how Uber turned out.
A shame in some ways. When you think about all the spare seats available in cars going places the whole time there's a VAST amount of "wasted" fuel, carrying just one person when you could be carrying two or more. A cheap way of offering and sharing rides and fuel costs would be a massive environmental benefit. It would, of course, upset the commercial providers of such services...
There are some efforts being made to try and find an insurance solution for this in the UK - it's currently not available but someone will surely take the plunge soon. At the moment it's just too expensive This would have fallen afoul of every kind of legislation almost everywhere, so that's not how Uber turned out.
A shame in some ways. When you think about all the spare seats available in cars going places the whole time there's a VAST amount of "wasted" fuel, carrying just one person when you could be carrying two or more. A cheap way of offering and sharing rides and fuel costs would be a massive environmental benefit. It would, of course, upset the commercial providers of such services...
Gareth79 said:
Non-profit car sharing doesn't affect SDP&C type insurance:
https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/product...
That is very true.https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/product...
However Lyft car sharing, as an example, is very much about receiving payment.
Vaud said:
Were the luddites protected by the state because they knew how to operate manual looms and objected to the powered looms?
By mandating that black cabs must provide a wheelchair accessible service and pass 'the knowledge' the black cab starts with an unfair disadvantage when it comes to price competition. But most people don't care so f
k everyone else if they get their cheap cab.Vaud said:
In related news from the Newt loving former Mayor:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul...
Where is Sadiq and TFL on the big issues of pollution? Or is he victim to lobbying on this topic as well?
If that is repeating the '40,000 a year die' stat, then it's epidemiological naughtiness. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul...
Where is Sadiq and TFL on the big issues of pollution? Or is he victim to lobbying on this topic as well?
This http://talkradio.co.uk/news/sadiq-khans-40000-poll... is an interesting listen from a respiratory physician at the University of Brighton.
Depending on how it's added up, it's a guess that if you live your whole life in London, then on average you might possibly die at 90 rather than 90.5, possibly
miniman said:
I will happily pay more for a *genuinely* professional driver who has done The Knowledge because I think it outwits satnav / Waze at every turn. However I would like to pay by card. Surely that's not controversial?
I take four or five cabs most weeks and it's been quite a while that I haven't been able to pay by card but that doesn't seem to tally with most posters' experience.popeyewhite said:
Surely you don't buy everyday items - a paper with a card? What about a bottle of water? A haircut? Locally (Mcr) a taxi is £6 to get home and I wouldn't consider paying by card. But I accept that this is a London phenomenon.
Have you been living under a rock for the last 5 years?I pay for as many everyday items as I can by card, and so does Lady Marylebone, who incidentally almost never carries any cash on her and expects everywhere to take cards.
With the explosion in contactless payments it's never been easier to just tap your card to pay for small items, and with things like Apple Pay, you don't even need to have a card on you, just a phone.
Why wouldn't everyone pay for everything by card? It doesn't cost you any more and stops you having to constantly visit cash machines and carry round wallets and purses full of bits of paper and metal like something from medieval times.
I can't think of a single advantage to carrying cash around these days.
The only thing cash is useful for is private sales/purchases of used goods, and getting 20% off the bill from any tradesmen by offering them the chance to get their hands on some lovely tax free loot.
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