What's the IGx unadulterated opinion on the taxi vs Uber debate?

Shapecharge · Post by **Shapecharge** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:29 pm

So I was driving back to work after lunch listening to Dennis Miller's show on am radio and there was a couple of cab drivers on there from Chicago representing Chicago cabbies who I guess are throwing a mini-strike, primarily because of the mayor's "solution" to this struggle which some feel is greatly in favor of Uber. Now I didn't catch the whole thing so before you start calling me a pussy for not killing anyone with a stepladder recognize that I don't have a dog in the hunt just wondering is all. I can see the cabbie's dilemma...a license or "medallion" as it's called can run from 250K-700K plus annual fees, inspections, "commerical" insurance etc. In the case of Chicago, it appears Uber has operated there with impunity for nearly two years.

The medallion process it could be argued, doesn't serve the interests of free enterprise; their number is strictly controlled, and fares don't represent what would be likely charged if this form of monopoly were not enforced. But a cabbie doesn't give two shits about this bullshit...he's just dropped 500K for a medallion and now his next door neighbor in a two year old Prius is making nearly the money he is. I read a Forbes article where it was suggested that cities just abandon the medallion concept...have some type of scheduled payback of the medallion fee for those that haven't had sufficient time to recoup that investment, put together a reasonable fee, inspection, and insurance process and let the free market have at it. Please gentlemen, let's get the name calling going fast and I'm hoping for at least 10 pages and someone threatening physical harm to another.

Grandpa's Spells · Post by **Grandpa's Spells** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:54 pm

Uber's a fantastic service and the taxi industry has failed to adapt. The problem is being a taxi driver used to be a decent middle-class job, and it's gotten less and less so. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I've heard of cab drivers who make what they did 20 years ago, but work 20 more hours to get it, going from 30 to 50 hours a week.

We don't really need fewer blue-collar jobs that you can make a living at. Uber's not helping that part out much. Pretty huge lack of regulation of the drivers as well (though I've had drunk cab drivers before). Their corporate culture is pretty fucked up. But the service it provides is much better than what taxi companies offer.

Shapecharge · Post by **Shapecharge** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:01 pm

I didn't realize till I was listening to the radio just what is invested in a taxi license. Christ that seems absolutely crazy to me. No wonder they're going apeshit over Uber and the other one Lyft.

Pinky · Post by **Pinky** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:27 pm

Fuck the cabbies. The medallion system is nothing more than a way for them to collude against consumers, restricting supply and driving up prices. The fact that they have to pay for the privilege of colluding against customers is irrelevant. The fact that drivers are blue-collar workers is also irrelevant. They are an entitled special-interest group that is fighting to maintain their government-enforced monopoly power.

syaigh · Post by **syaigh** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:52 pm

Regulation is bullshit. There is always some organization in charge that serves to only gain financially from all their demands that amounts to squat. The market can decide and it will evolve to demonstrate who has the best records (good-driving/availability/not-raping).

For example, the physical therapy industry seems to want to regulate personal training. Which would be like having tweedle-dee keep track of tweedle-dum.

DrDonkeyLove · Post by **DrDonkeyLove** » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:50 pm

I've done Uber about a 1/2 dozen times and have friends who've done it much more. Our experiences are almost all very positive. You're being driven by an entrepreneur vs. an angry Pakistani immigrant who is regretting his relocation to Des Moines.

When I use Uber, the app shows me a photo of the driver, his license plate number, and I can watch him drive up via a map. I get an estimated charge before committing to the ride, all charges go right to my credit card, and there is no tipping. Also, our route is tracked so if I get kidnapped to become a sex slave, the popo knows my last location.

The cars have all been much nicer and feel safer than the average taxi.

Best of all we rate each other from 1 to 4 stars. If the driver averages less than 3.2 (or so) stars, he's out. If I get poor ratings because I'm a dick, they block me from the service. Balance pertains.

There are pros, cons, and concerns but taxi companies need to step up their service game a lot if they want to keep up because right now they aren't even close.

WildGorillaMan · Post by **WildGorillaMan** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:07 am

The biggest issue I can see is that most of Uber drivers are driving around with regular residential pleasure-driver car insurance, and aren't carrying commercial insurance.

I'm concerned about the liability issue if you're taking an Uber, and get into a bad accident where the Uber driver is at fault and everybody's insurance company tells you to fuck off.

Somebody correct me if I'm off-base here.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 1:40 am

I wish someone would do something similar to Uber for trash service in my municipality.

Instead of the City contracting with someone's brother in law, anyone should be able to come pick up my trash. I don't care if they put it in the back of their Prius and charge $1 per bag.

UNLEASH THE FREE MARKET!

Andy83 · Post by **Andy83** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 1:51 am

My son just signed up to be an uber driver. His uncle has been doing it for a year or so and making a grand to 1500 every week....loves it. Cab companies are suing them left and right but uber seems to be winning all the time. They are everywhere in the world now. Google uber to get the full skinny. Also Lyft.

Shafpocalypse Now · Post by **Shafpocalypse Now** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:26 am

Taxi companies are such a fucking anachronism with their stupid medallions. Seriously, Henry the VIII thought that shit up and it was anachonistic then

Protobuilder · Post by **Protobuilder** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:27 am

TerryB wrote:I wish someone would do something similar to Uber for trash service in my municipality.

Instead of the City contracting with someone's brother in law, anyone should be able to come pick up my trash. I don't care if they put it in the back of their Prius and charge $1 per bag.

UNLEASH THE FREE MARKET!

This I would pay for.

Fuzzy Dunlop · Post by **Fuzzy Dunlop** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:30 am

I fucking hate cabbies. The cabs are filthy and smell like shit. The cc machine always seems to be broken until you tell them it's cc or no money. They talk on the phone in Haitian (Boston) or some Haji language (LA), it's annoying. If you are somewhere where you can't just hail on on the street (most of LA) calling one always results in a 15 minute wait time and can often just take forever. It's ridiculous. They're also expensive as fuck. From my house to LAX costs about 14 bucks via Uber. When I have to take a cab on the return trip it's usually more like $42-46.

Uber drivers, around where I live, are typically just younger guys looking to make extra money. I have been in other cities where the cabbies, and their shitstain cars, have taken over Uber too. It's so simple not having to pull out a card to pay, no tipping, easy ordering with accurate wait times. Also, in LA there are like 8 levels of Uber, you can often avoid a surge pricing by ordering up a lvel or two and it's also really easy to get an SUV if you have a big group which is better than waiting for 2 or 3 cabs. We also have Uber Eats which is cool.

That said, I do feel for the cabs. If I was forced to pay the government what amounts to basically a $500k bribe in order to transport people for a living I'd be fucking pissed too. They brought this on themselves though.

DrDonkeyLove · Post by **DrDonkeyLove** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:38 am

WildGorillaMan wrote:The biggest issue I can see is that most of Uber drivers are driving around with regular residential pleasure-driver car insurance, and aren't carrying commercial insurance.

I'm concerned about the liability issue if you're taking an Uber, and get into a bad accident where the Uber driver is at fault and everybody's insurance company tells you to fuck off.

Somebody correct me if I'm off-base here.

I've asked drivers about this and was told that Uber requires certain insurance and has some kind of umbrella type rider on top of that. I confess that I didn't dig into it that deeply.

There was a comment above from Fuzzy Dunlop about LA cabs. I took what ever that monopolistic blue van "limo" service is at LAX a few years ago. The equipment was very dangerous shit shit shit. Have never seen anything 1/10 that bad w/Uber.

Blaidd Drwg · Post by **Blaidd Drwg** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:43 am

It gives off a super pyramid scheme vibe to me. I suspect most people are making fuck all in terms of money. Couple people in each key ,market probably do well.

The Ginger Beard Man · Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:52 am

This is kind of like asking me who I'll root for when the Cowboys play the Eagles.
As was mentioned above, I don't trust Uber at all on the insurance issue. Also, the guy who started Uber has stated that his ultimate goal is the end of private automobile ownership, so he can just fuck right off.

Now, back when Rudy G was mayor of NYC, he pissed the cabbies off over something or other, and they went on strike for a day. It was beautiful. Hardly any traffic at all, and even though the average NYer drives like an asshole, it was pretty nice not having thousand of incompetent camel and donkey driving assholes running amok, causing all kinds of bullshit problems.
I mean, really, who the fuck allows those incompetent pieces of shit behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds, moves fast, and can kill.
So someone asked Rudy about it in a press conference, and he grinned and said, "I wish they would go on strike every day." Or something like that.
Amen.

Andy83 · Post by **Andy83** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:00 am

GBM, uber drivers own their own cars, are independent contractors and can carry whatever and how much insurance over the minimum for all car owners they want to carry.
You're really fucked because you're left with what you got...streets clogged with yellow cabs with low paid foreign speaking greasy looking wild drivers.
Why anybody wants to live in the asshole of the universe (NYC) is a mystery.

syaigh · Post by **syaigh** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:11 am

The Ginger Beard Man wrote:This is kind of like asking me who I'll root for when the Cowboys play the Eagles.
As was mentioned above, I don't trust Uber at all on the insurance issue. Also, the guy who started Uber has stated that his ultimate goal is the end of private automobile ownership, so he can just fuck right off.

Now, back when Rudy G was mayor of NYC, he pissed the cabbies off over something or other, and they went on strike for a day. It was beautiful. Hardly any traffic at all, and even though the average NYer drives like an asshole, it was pretty nice not having thousand of incompetent camel and donkey driving assholes running amok, causing all kinds of bullshit problems.
I mean, really, who the fuck allows those incompetent pieces of shit behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds, moves fast, and can kill.
So someone asked Rudy about it in a press conference, and he grinned and said, "I wish they would go on strike every day." Or something like that.
Amen.

Last time I was in NYC, no joke, our cabbie fell asleep three times driving us to the museum. Had to wake him up and he wouldn't pull over to let us out til we got there. Fucking crazy.

Turdacious · Post by **Turdacious** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:03 pm

Blaidd Drwg wrote:It gives off a super pyramid scheme vibe to me. I suspect most people are making fuck all in terms of money. Couple people in each key ,market probably do well.

I know people who do it and make decent coin at it. From what I hear, you have to learn the system, and then play the game-- you make different money working at different times, and you have to know which incentives (from the company) to accept. Neighborhoods and destinations all matter-- they profile as much as cabbies do. Most of the guys I know who are making decent side money are signed up with Sidecar and Lyft as well, and bounce between the services as the pay changes. Most people don't make any money because the company requires a constant flow of new drivers who don't understand the pay scheme and how to take advantage of it.

DARTH · Post by **DARTH** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:36 pm

Free fucking Markets!

I've thought of it but I'd have to have my weapon ready on my left to kill in 1/4 a second. You can end up in a bad situation picking people up.

other than that? Fuck Cabbies? And I'd rather do Uber than work for a cab company.

Who the fuck has a right to tell me who I give a ride to.

Hmm, I need to figure and under the table, sneaky Pete Uber thing?

DrDonkeyLove · Post by **DrDonkeyLove** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 8:57 pm

DARTH wrote:Free fucking Markets!

I've thought of it but I'd have to have my weapon ready on my left to kill in 1/4 a second. You can end up in a bad situation picking people up.

other than that? Fuck Cabbies? And I'd rather do Uber than work for a cab company.

Who the fuck has a right to tell me who I give a ride to.

Hmm, I need to figure and under the table, sneaky Pete Uber thing?

From a driver's perspective Uber is much safer since the rider is vetted and identified via credit card before pick up.

Of coarse, someone could have stolen the user's cell phone but that has to be pretty rare. When you're expecting to pick up Whitey Whitekowski and see Lil Pookie at the curb, you can just run him over. Maybe rig up some kind of deadly cow catcher device so you don't fuck up the front end of your car.

DARTH · Post by **DARTH** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:10 pm

Good point! I could always not pick them up if something did not look right! But it might effect the rating?

Then again it might be helpful with some people that you are listed as not picking up niggers and jawas?

If Kaz needed to use Uber, he'd look for the "No Niggrs!" driver.

$\:D/$

DARTH · Post by **DARTH** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 9:25 pm

DARTH'S Ride service!

We don't take niggers, Jawas or hard core Leftist!
( Blacks and regular Liberals are OK)

We play Metal, Rock N' Roll, Outlaw Country, Classical music and some Rap from the late 80s and the 90s.
No Kanye,DrakeChrisBrown Niggerfucking bitch music or other forms of pop, that includes commercial Cunt-tree!

No Smoking! (Crack, Meth, Cigarettes and other tobacco products, other things you better share!)

The Ginger Beard Man · Sat Oct 10, 2015 2:19 am

Who the fuck has a right to tell me who I give a ride to.

Insurance companies. Your personal auto policy will not cover an accident if you are using your car for commercial purposes. If Uber has a way around that, I'd love to hear it.

Protobuilder · Post by **Protobuilder** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:04 am

How do you people in the US afford cabs? A taxi to the airport in most cities is more expensive than simply renting a car (including insurance) and driving yourself.

j-cubed · Post by **j-cubed** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:31 pm

Protobuilder wrote:How do you people in the US afford cabs? A taxi to the airport in most cities is more expensive than simply renting a car (including insurance) and driving yourself.

Business expense. You can rent a car, often cheaper than a cab, but parking it in a major city, like Chicago, overnight, costs more than the car rental.

IGX

What's the IGx unadulterated opinion on the taxi vs Uber debate?

What's the IGx unadulterated opinion on the taxi vs Uber debate?

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