uber vs taxis

[dead0man]

I'm sure some of you are familiar with the issue.  If not, googled it for you.  I'm in the funk Taxis in the ass camp.  Not because any hate towards taxis, taxi drivers or taxi companies, but because it's an outdated, corrupt, over regulated and non-efficient industry.  I'm sure the statists and authoritarians disagree.

[PJ]

I voted 'don't care,' because regardless of the company operating cabs, cabs themselves are an inefficient method of transport that cause increased traffic problems and increase carbon emissions. Public transit needs to be expanded to replace the need of cabs.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Uber (not a fan of assholes who abuse their oligopoly position in every possible way).

[Slander and/or Libel]

I'm sure some of you are familiar with the issue.  If not, googled it for you.  I'm in the funk Taxis in the ass camp.  Not because any hate towards taxis, taxi drivers or taxi companies, but because it's an outdated, corrupt, over regulated and non-efficient industry.  I'm sure the statists and authoritarians disagree.

I think the taxi system needs to be overhauled, and a lot of the regulatory structure is inefficient and counterproductive, but I also don't wind up coming down on the Uber side for basically the same reason I wouldn't come down on the Airbnb side versus hotels. There are reasons that we want some regulations and the associated accountability.

[dead0man]

Uber customers and Uber employers don't seem to mind much.

[Slander and/or Libel]

I mean, the ones who've been assaulted or kidnapped would likely disagree.

[dead0man]

Thank the deity of your choice that those things NEVER happens to cabbies or, you know, just regular folk driving around.

[dead0man]

oh, and Fox News is more balanced than that site.

[Slander and/or Libel]

I'm not claiming it's balanced, I was just looking for a quick reference to some of the allegations made.

Point is, Uber and Lyft have disclaimed responsibility because its drivers are all independent contractors and so the companies are not accountable for their actions, whereas taxi companies have an interest in (a mandate to) bonding and insuring their drivers.

[ElectionsGuy]

I think its clear Uber is the winner. Its a voluntary service that is proven more effective, easier, free-er than taxis, though I still don't know a lot about it. It also adds diversity to transportation of people and its effects on the economy, which is always good.

[dead0man]

I'm not claiming it's balanced, I was just looking for a quick reference to some of the allegations made.

Point is, Uber and Lyft have disclaimed responsibility because its drivers are all independent contractors and so the companies are not accountable for their actions, whereas taxi companies have an interest in (a mandate to) bonding and insuring their drivers.

All Uber drivers are insured by Uber when they are "on the clock" (have the app on).  When the app is not on, their regular insurance covers them.


Obviously Uber isn't perfect, nothing is.  I have issues with some of their policies and actions, but the taxi people are worse.  Again, it's not their fault (well it is when they beat up Uber drivers, trash their vehicles, or block the roads in a hissy fit) as it's the system that's broken.

[Slander and/or Libel]

I'm not claiming it's balanced, I was just looking for a quick reference to some of the allegations made.

Point is, Uber and Lyft have disclaimed responsibility because its drivers are all independent contractors and so the companies are not accountable for their actions, whereas taxi companies have an interest in (a mandate to) bonding and insuring their drivers.

All Uber drivers are insured by Uber when they are "on the clock" (have the app on).  When the app is not on, their regular insurance covers them.


Obviously Uber isn't perfect, nothing is.  I have issues with some of their policies and actions, but the taxi people are worse.  Again, it's not their fault (well it is when they beat up Uber drivers, trash their vehicles, or block the roads in a hissy fit) as it's the system that's broken.

Yeah, I'm basically in the same place, except that I wouldn't diagnose it so much as one side being "worse" than the other, per se. I think that there's a space in the middle that someone needs to get to.

[Green Line]

Uber. Its cheaper and you dont have to tip.  Sometimes you can get a really fancy towncar or luxury vehicle and pretend to be somebody important for 5 minutes

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Uber. It built a better mousetrap, and the Taxis are using the time-honored technique of getting a politician in your pocket and trying to get them to outlaw your competition.

[Maxwell]

Uber by a million. The fact politicians want to save the dumb Taxi industry and the medallion system makes Uber even better. Every Uber driver I've met is a nice person who enjoys what they do and every Taxi driver I've met is cold and distant.

[SteveRogers]

Uber all the way. Much easier to summon than a taxi, and the taxis where I live have started tacking on an absolutely BS "per person" fee when a group shares a taxi.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Uber all the way. Much easier to summon than a taxi, and the taxis where I live have started tacking on an absolutely BS "per person" fee when a group shares a taxi.

Lol what the hell?

[SteveRogers]

Uber all the way. Much easier to summon than a taxi, and the taxis where I live have started tacking on an absolutely BS "per person" fee when a group shares a taxi.

Lol what the hell?

The cab companies don't want a bunch of drunk college students coming back from downtown who don't know each other to pool their money for one taxi instead of three or four taxis so they're charging a small fee for each extra person in a taxi.

[WVdemocrat]

Uber is very innovative, and I support the concept of Uber, but they need to follow the same rules and regulations of the taxi industry, because they can call Uber cars whatever they want, but they are still taxis.

[Maxwell]

Uber is very innovative, and I support the concept of Uber, but they need to follow the same rules and regulations of the taxi industry, because they can call Uber cars whatever they want, but they are still taxis.

The whole reason Uber is innovative is that it DOESN'T follow the same rules and regulations as the Taxi Industry. Supporting the concept of Uber and making them follow those regulations means you don't support Uber.

[bedstuy]

Taxi regulations exist for the benefits of a cartel, not the benefit of the public.

Make people get a background check and pay something nominal like $100 for a taxi/uber driver license, and call it a day.  That seems like all the regulation you need.  If a taxi service is bad, they'll lose customers.  That's the easiest type of regulation ever.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Fwiwi I don't consider it a huge "innovation" (in the same sense I wouldn't consider a cafe that refuses to hygiene regulations innovative), but I do think the regulations are mostly bunk. I do feel sorry for the drivers of course, who lose their livelihood; but it of course should be coopted with governmental assistance for those left jobless.

[DC Al Fine]

While I agree that most taxi regulations are ridiculous gatekeeping strategies, Uber still has some issues to resolve before I can totally embrace them. Of particular concern are their actions in cities where they have competitors and their employee vs. contractor issue. Still, they seem like an interesting new concept and I'm eager to see how it goes.

[Green Line]

Lyft is even better than Uber.  Sometimes the drivers give out candy. Cant beat that

[Simfan34]

Uber (not a fan of assholes who abuse their oligopoly position in every possible way).

I'm pleasantly surprised.