Uber is berkeleying awesome

Yea, this has been my first experience with Uber while on a bachelor party trip to Chicago.

So far we've been picked up by everything from a suburban, VW CC, Camry, Corolla, and an elantra GT. LoL

We were all just wondering what the approved car list was for these(I've seen one before and couldn't find it again). One of the guys in our group is interested in doing it in Indianapolis.

You were using UberX? With regular Uber you generally get a Town Car or an Escalade. I love Uber and use it quite frequently, especially back and forth to the airport (about 6 miles for me - it's pretty close to the same cost as a regular cab+tip). We've Uber'd in Seattle, San Fran, and Amsterdam. In Amsterdam we got an E-Class Mercedes the first time and a 7-series BMW the second time. Really sweet.

In reply to CLH:

We've requested Uberx for everything except the suburban.

Resurrecting this thread because I've used the service twice now (Both times in Atlanta) and found it to be a wonderful, hassle-free way to get from point A to point B for an extremely reasonable amount of money. Both times I had drivers that were seriously awesome, too. Like, guys I actually enjoyed chatting with and felt safe riding shotgun with.

But I see the service coming under serious fire in lots of cities. Part of me says "Let the market decide," But another part of me says "It will be a complicated lawsuit when an Uber driver Thelma-and-Louises off of a cliff with a carload of screaming Mormons."

But then I think "How would that lawsuit be any different than if a regular cab driver ramped it into a shark tank?"

Thoughts and observations now that the service has had a couple more months to piss people off? Do taxi unions REALLY have this much power? I thought the mob was scary. Apparently it was the taxi guys who had the juice all along.

In las vegas apparently the taxi guys are just under the casino guys in terms of pull. I've never had to use it but every person I've talked to that has used it was very happy with the service and its super fast. I'm definitely using this next time I can since every experience I've had with a taxi company in multiple cities has been terrible.

I'm actually a little angry. Love the concept, wanted to try to join, recently saw ads asking for drivers.

Locally (Atlanta!), the ads say they won't take anyone with cars older than 2006 (mine's from 2002). Oh, and should I mention they offered loans to get people to buy cars new enough to participate?

I won't say that "I smell a rat", but I will say that "It ain't all that..".

JG, I will admit that their business plan (as far as potential participants are involved) is brilliant. Perhaps I'm just jealous that they won't let me support it.

JG Pasterjak wrote: But then I think "How would that lawsuit be any different than if a regular cab driver ramped it into a shark tank?"

Over the past few weeks, we have used Uber about 10 times (bachelor parties and weddings). Uber was cheap, quick, and the cars were nice and the drivers were awesome!

I really like how you can "see" where the car is when it is on the way to you.

Rob R.

wvumtnbkr wrote: Over the past few weeks, we have used Uber about 10 times (bachelor parties and weddings). Uber was cheap, quick, and the cars were nice and the drivers were awesome!

Now you know exactly why the taxi companies are fighting this so hard.

I recently used it to get from the airport in Atlanta to Buckhead. Got picked up in a town car full of drinks and snacks.

Agreed, Uber is pretty awesome.

The wife and I have been using it 3-4 times weekly since it began and have had a generally very positive experience. In fact, we were recently in a city that does not have it available and it felt strange and inconvenient to only rely on taxis. (stay weird Portland, we love you that way)

UberX is definitely a good option too if you want to save a few bucks or it is more convenient. I have been in many different types of cars that I would not normally get to check out and they have always been clean, maintained and courteous. Much higher chance of a productive conversation with a knowledgeable local who knows about what they are driving. I have ridden in so many Prius that I actually have started to kind want one...

I stick with standard Uber (black) 90% of the time for two reasons: I am 6'2" 300lbs. and a full size vehicle is just that much easier and more comfortable for me. Also, being slightly disabled, the drivers are much more accommodating if I need a little help with my walker/cane or packages and such.

Growing up in a lower class grassroots type household, I personally avoid limos or anything stretched and blinged out whenever possible. I am much happier to arrive in a standard high end sedan or suv to avoid any spectacle.

The city I live in isn't very taxi friendly. To get one takes quite awhile and on busy nights you get the "The cab will be there in 10 mins." line ALL THE TIME. Then, they never show. I'm very interested in Uber for that reason alone.

Creative Market Destruction is the term I've heard being batted around for what's happening with Uber vs traditional Taxis.

So explain Uber to those of us who live under a rock, in outer Mongolia, in Pittsburgh or anywhere else that is way behind the times. I thought you requested a ride through an App, and a regular Joe in their personal car came to get you. I can see why Taxi companies would be upset with that, it is basically an unlicensed taxi stealing fares. Competition is fine, but you have to have a level playing field. If Taxis have to pay for a license and insurance and permits and Uber doesn't, then it is not fair and they have a legitimate beef.

Assuming of course, that Taxis are not a complete racket that overcharge and have special protections from lobbyists. Stacking the deck unfairly in your favor to block competition is also unfair.

Either way, if I could get a ride home from the South Side with an App in less than an hour, I'd be all over Uber. As it stands, Pittsburgh is the sux for taxis.

Uber's regular service is all "Black Cars" which are licensed, insured, registered, whatever. They're livery companies as opposed to taxi companies, meaning they have to be scheduled versus being able to be hailed on the side of the road.

UberX is what you're picturing where an individual without a taxi license drives their regular car and picks you up. It's sort of a "facilitated ride share" deal, but Uber does carry insurance on those people and their cars.

We had Uber lined up as a tenant in our building but prior to lease execution the city of Columbus sued them and that spooked them enough to not lease any office space in Columbus until after that's decided. Someone else leased the space so I'm not out money but I thought it would be cool to have them as a tenant. They're already big and will probably be bigger and continue to succeed for quite some time.

In reply to pinchvalve:

In chicago, I did notice pretty much all of their black car and SUV service had State of Illinois "Limosine" service stickers on their windshields.

Some of the UBERx ones did as well.

IIRC, Uber negotiated loan deals with GM and Toyota for its drivers. I also heard about the protesting taxi drivers in Europe causing traffic jams over uber as well the last few days.

In Pittsburgh there is a company called Pear Transportation that does something similar, only they'll actually drive your vehicle home for you.

Basically, lets say you and some friends all ride together out to the bar. You have one too many, and you don't like the idea of driving home, but you also don't want to leave your car in the city.

Pear Transportation will drop off a driver and take you and your vehicle back home. Not enough room for all of your buddies in your car? Pear will also tote your friends home in a chase vehicle.

As noted, a major bonus to Uber is the well designed app that runs it. You get real time tracking of the vehicle coming for you so that you do not have to wait outside in the rain/dark/late night. There are automated texts when they confirm that they are underway and when they arrive. Also they have your number to call for complicated locations or exact instructions. All drivers AND passengers are rated on a 5 star system so you can deny someone with a low rating and pass until a better driver responds. Also, they know if you are a jerk so if you do not behave it will bite you in the ass. You also are provided a name, phone number, picture and type of car coming with color and/or license plate number to avoid confusion. This is particularly useful at the airport of someplace like a major urban area where livery cars are everywhere. Most cars are in excellent condition and many drivers stock cold water, snacks, dvds and mobile chargers or usb slots to use. Tips are included in the cost so the extras are just a nice complimentary feature and there is no need to mess with money or card readers. You get an email receipt immediately so that submitting expenses is simple for corporate use and easy to track for personal rides.

Can you tell I like it and wish it was more universal? Of course, not all cars/drivers are equal but if you use it enough you can develop relationships with some who will go above and beyond to help out reliable, good customers. We use about 10 airport runs a month at something like $60 a ride plus another half dozen rides around for maybe $15 each so it can be lucrative for drivers. Most "black" drivers are just regular livery workers doing this for extra income when they are not booked. Many "X" drivers are paying off their car note with uber while enjoying a new car for personal use.

I talked with one driver in San Fran recently who was on his 3rd prius after running the other two up to 350k each before selling them off. His fuel costs and payments were negligible really compared to the income he was making. Also, he let me try it out and explained how the regen braking worked really well on the giant hills.

There are plenty of cabbies and doormen who do not like the interruption of their routine; but I am a free market type guy who says that they need to adjust to change in the situation. I used to cover graveyard in a rented hack in a big city to make ends meet years ago and it is not a glamorous position so I have respect for people that I trust with my safety and pay for my convenience.

Uber is just so much more reliable, safe and convenient for my wife to catch a 4am ride to the airport alone that it really isn't even a thought process for us. I have considered starting as a driver if I really need to get out of the house and pick up some extra cash, but they do not have "X" in my hometown and I do not want to deal with a larger more expensive vehicle at this point to drive for "black" but I still might some day when my health evens out...

Yellow cab here in SF says if something isn't done about these ride share services they are out of business in 18 monthes and I say good riddance. New business models will displace the old ones. Haven't ever used Uber might have to give it a try in a couple of weeks.

In reply to tb:

Yep, the taxis in chicago threw a fit about it but some type of agreement was reached locally......oddly enough, Chicago has "UberX", "Taxi", "Black Car", and "SUV" listings.

Some of the drivers don't like talking to people and will rate you appropriately, but some of them enjoy chatting and the stories they could tell. The guy that dropped us off at the greyhound terminal said during the winter he took a guy all the way to Detroit on his company's card. He said it was something like $3k.

In reply to yamaha:

Yeah, it seems like every state / municipality has there own particular way of handling things. I haven't used it in Chicago lately but it looks like you have a lot of options! Sadly, lately it has been rental cars to drive up to Waukegan when I am out that way.

In Philly, there are still far more cabs vs. Uber but I never wait more than 10 minutes max; no "X" though but more "SUV" at the same rate as "black". Boston has a lot more "X" drivers available in cheaper cars but you cannot pay me enough to drive in that town anymore. When in Rome getting a taxi can be a major ordeal and is no bargain while I had no problem having a beautiful Alfa Romeo show up quickly and one time a Bentley. West Coast like SF or Seattle has tons of Prius "X" drivers and I am not embarrassed to show up to a fine restaurant or fancy theater in one of those; these days it is normal there. The variety of options and local trends has never been a problem for us.

I find the drivers generally nicer and easier to get along with vs. most cabbies. They are used to a slightly different clientele and I have room to bust out the laptop and get work done or just sit back and enjoy the view.

We never abuse expense accounts and are always cautious to make sure that we are serving clients best interest but I know several people that have done it. I have taken several rides about an hour in length but I think the costs were inline with a first class train ticket or charter bus but frankly I do not pay attention to the money very closely myself...

The catch is that Uber is not a taxi service. It's a "ride sharing" service. They do not own the car, directly employ the drivers, or do the scheduling and dispatch. All they do is provide an app which pair people wanting a ride and are willing to foot some of the cost with people who "happen to be going the same direction." They process the payment (and take their cut, of course).

Basically they're like eBay and PayPal if eBay only sold rides somewhere. eBay doesn't actually sell anything, they just provide the structure whereby you can sell something.

Yes, I know these are mostly BS legal loopholes, but they're brilliant loopholes. They've also created a structure that people seems to universally work better than the traditional structure, especially in less dense urban areas. Sure in Manhattan it's easy to hail cab on every corner, but not all cities have such dense population and business centers.

JG Pasterjak wrote: Sure in Manhattan it's easy to hail cab on every corner

Ever stand in line for a cab at Penn Station during morning rush hour? I spend most of my time in major urban areas and I think Uber wins, hands down.

JG Pasterjak wrote: not all cities have such dense population and business centers.

This is a good point and something that I think Uber is becoming very aware of too. In relatively sleepy South Jersey Uber is now marketing itself as the responsible way to hit the bars all night and make it home safely and legally. Drunk driving is among the biggest of problems in the beautiful beach resort towns there and Uber knows that taxis are sparse there and that they are cheaper than a DUI.

One other thing smart that Uber does is direct marketing and partnerships with event locations outside urban areas. I can get a guaranteed car and discount price out to the suburbs for a golf tournament, horse show or other stuff not available inside the realm of convenient public transportation. Likewise they often have special rates and incentives to get into town easily for a sporting event, concert or convention. Locally they often team up with vendors from ice cream trucks to local wine merchants to be stationed at convenient pick up / drop off locations.

The traditional taxi service structure is, pardon the pun, asleep at the wheel.

pinchvalve wrote: So explain Uber to those of us who live under a rock, in outer Mongolia, in Pittsburgh or anywhere else that is way behind the times.

I mean, Pittsburgh has Uber, Lyft, Pear, and CabbyGo - which is trying to bring the wonderful features of the others to regulated cabs. Unfortunately, like most places in the freaking world, Uber and Lyft are huge targets right now. In Pittsburgh they have stepped up the fining like elsewhere in the US but at least it isn't as bad as some other places. Panic in the streets of London.

JG Pasterjak wrote: The catch is that Uber is not a taxi service. It's a "ride sharing" service. They do not own the car, directly employ the drivers, or do the scheduling and dispatch. All they do is provide an app which pair people wanting a ride and are willing to foot some of the cost with people who "happen to be going the same direction." They process the payment (and take their cut, of course). Basically they're like eBay and PayPal if eBay only sold rides somewhere. eBay doesn't actually sell anything, they just provide the structure whereby you can sell something. Yes, I know these are mostly BS legal loopholes, but they're brilliant loopholes. They've also created a structure that people seems to universally work better than the traditional structure, especially in less dense urban areas. Sure in Manhattan it's easy to hail cab on every corner, but not all cities have such dense population and business centers.

They're also like the folks in DC (and probably in other cities) where private drivers will pick up passengers so that they can use the high-occupancy lanes.

Heh, when I did some research..I discovered that the practice has been going on for so long that it actually has a name. http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2011/08/slug-life-pick-up-these-roadside-commuters-to-ride-the-hov-lanes--12233.html

I'm really not surprised that an app would make the thing profitable. Hey, progress 'n' stuff, right? Like I said before, I'm just jealous that at the moment, I can't be a part of Uber.

In reply to HeavyDuty:

Its still funny though, because registered cabs use Uber in Chicago....lol

We didn't use them though since uberx is cheaper and the cars generally don't smell like ass.