Uber?

Quote: DRich

I must be very fortunate. I've used Uber and Lyft about 40 times and I have not had to wait longer than 6 minutes and I have not had a single ride that didn't deserve 5 stars. Hopefully it doesn't regress.

I hate to belabor the obvious, but your fortune lies in not living in Mexico City, and in particular not leaving near the Mexico City Freeway.

Uber continues to dig in.

Now I got an email offering up to four Uber Pool rides at 25 pesos each (about $1.25). This is so insanely cheap, it's a real pity I've no use for it. The email claims that's what the passenger will be charged, and that the driver fee is "estimated in the usual way," which I take it to mean I pay only 25 pesos but the driver will get more than that, presumably paid by Uber.

The email links to a page further extoling the virtues of Uber Pool. One claim is the drivers make more from it than from regular fares.

It's not immediately obvious, but I doubt it. It may be so now and then, but not always and perhaps not often. consider:

Assuming no surge pricing, the regular fare for me from the office to my apartment is 100 pesos (rounded up), while the Pool fare is 60 (rounded down). If the driver gets no other takers for the pool, he won't be paid more, but less.

The one time in three or four successful pool rides that another passenger got picked up, presumably the driver got paid more, given the second passenger was charged a similar fee. Assuming he was charged the same as I, then the total for the ride was 120 rather than 100, so he makes a bit more, right?

Maybe. The time taken to pick up the second passenger, plus that wasted on a no-show, added 40 minutes to my ride. Meaning a 30 minute ride took one hour and ten minutes. he might have had a whole other ride instead, at perhaps 100 pesos more, absent the detour.

The best argument is that Uber drivers want Pool gone, going so far as refusing to pick up Pool customers (as I've noted up-thread)

Quote: Nareed

The best argument is that Uber drivers want Pool gone, going so far as refusing to pick up Pool customers (as I've noted up-thread)

I am an Uber believer but hate the concept of sharing the ride. I don't imagine I will ever do an Uber Pool ride.

I had my first Uber ride that I didn't give the driver 5 stars. This particular driver wouldn't stop talking for what turned out to be a 30 minute ride. Most drivers get the hint when you give short answers to questions or just ignore them. This driver didn't take the hint.

Quote: DRich

This driver didn't take the hint.

All you have to do is feign deafness.
Say 'WHAT' a couple times and tell
him you forget your hearing device
and he'll clam up like his lips are
glued together.

Quote: DRich

This particular driver wouldn't stop talking for what turned out to be a 30 minute ride. ... This driver didn't take the hint.

Old driving trick: the driver may have been exhausted and feared dozing off. Bad situation if that was the reason for it.

Quote: Nareed

The best argument is that Uber drivers want Pool gone, going so far as refusing to pick up Pool customers (as I've noted up-thread)

If they want it gone, it means they're
getting screwed on money, and probably
sick of listening to riders complain about
how long it takes to get anywhere.

I don't why Uber thinks this would work.
People really don't like riding in a car
with strangers, women especially don't
like it. The whole point of a cab is it's
a chauffeur driven car just for you.

Quote: DRich

I am an Uber believer but hate the concept of sharing the ride. I don't imagine I will ever do an Uber Pool ride.

I did them when the surge pricing got too high. Even then, it was about even money whether you'd even set foot in the car at all. It's definitely not ideal.

Quote:

This particular driver wouldn't stop talking for what turned out to be a 30 minute ride.

Lately what I do is put on an audio book or podcast (which I always do), and tell the driver to feel free to turn up his stereo if he cares too, as it won't bother me at all.

Latest cell phone scam.
Call this number and we will help you set up an Uber account.

To solve the 'first mile/last mile' problem in mass transit, Lyft will offer free rides to and from the new light rail station in a sprawling Colorado suburb designed for automobile travel.

Uber already has a number of such contractual ties in Florida and Pennsylvania where discounts on Uber fares are offered in connection with light rail fares or municipal boundaries.

Recently read where a Uber driver was involved in a car accident, a kid was killed, driver had minimal insurance or it had lapsed, not sure which. Parents sued Uber and lost, because driver had no passenger. Of course he was racing back downtown to be close to the action.
Think a taxi cab could use that argument.
Think Uber magically knows when a driver's insurance has expired, I doubt it. Plus Uber pulled out of one Texas city that wanted a full background check on drivers, like taxi companies do, not just past 7 year and wanted fingerprints. Expect Uber to donate to next years city election to get those requirements overturned.