What's this new manner of Uber-fuckery?

[ddstory]

So what's the matter with this new Uber app that everyone keeps blabbering about? I'm seeing taxi drivers around the world having their knickers in a twist about this new "threat" to their business, and a hysterical campaign hyping up the several cases of passenger abuse (rape, mugging, to name but a few transgressions by illicit quasi-taxi drivers

Comments

[mahnmut]

This new app is the Trojan horse of terrorists who are going to destroy our civilization as we know it. It must be stopped - nuked from orbit, if possible. Or at least waterboarded to death.

[htpcl]

Or droned. (See? I just invented a new verb, yo!)

[htpcl]

Saw this on the news the other day. The idea sounds great, but there are obvious problems about the implementation. Without proper oversight, this could turn out to be a slide down a very steep slope.

Still, I like the idea of people carpooling for free - but when it's done for profit, it should be regulated. Otherwise what's the point of paying a taxi license, going through all the testing and vetting, paying taxes and all that jazz?

[abomvubuso]

They should see the vast network of illicit taxi drivers in Moscow, mostly coming from the Central Asian republics, driving horrible old cars and stopping next to you the moment they notice you've been wandering about, asking if you'd like a ride at "very nice rates". This system has existed in such places for decades, and has often even overwhelmed the legal taxi system.

[htpcl]

Well, most legal Moscow taxis charge at murderous rates. Not to mention that you often have to wait up to an hour for them to arrive. I guess Muscovites don't care about taxi transport that much anyway, what with their extensive Metro system.

[sandwichwarrior]

So basically Moscow = New York then. ;)

[htpcl]

Probably so! Although you could find some Moscow specimens that are quite awesome. :-)

[ddstory]

Uber does background checks.

And look how well those have turned out.

[ddstory]

I'm sure the families of those who've been raped, mugged, beaten and run over, would empathically agree with you.

[dexeron]

A good question to ask: do Uber drivers commit these "sins" at a greater rate than "official" taxi drivers?

If yes, then Uber needs to address it. If not, then it is a problem with taxis in general that should be addressed, but not anything to single out Uber over.

Shrug, anecdotes are meaningless, but I had some fantastic experiences with Uber drivers in San Diego while there on business.

[kylinrouge]

From what I've seen, the answer is no, and I know a lot of shitty car service drivers.