What people fail to understand is that Uber, Lyft and co are much more than the Taxi market. They are in the transportation business.
People like me that would never have taken a taxi in San Fancisco use these services. They are creating new markets.
When you really think of it, car ownership for a majority of the people is really silly as most cars are idle 90% of the time.
Car manufacturers should be afraid because once Uber, Lyft and Co start a subscription business (pay a fixed amount monthly for a generous travel distance monthly) fewer people we see any reason to own cars.
Interesting, I would never use Uber over a taxi, at least here in Europe. I really agree with the taxi drivers, Uber needs to follow the same rules they do, the rules are there for a reason. I don't know how it works in the US, nor do I really care, I want a taxi and not depend on having to buy a smartphone to get it.
I'm not in SF, but the whole taxi experience is shitty in LA:
1. Long waits (~10m minimum usually)
2. Unreliable (they'll take calls and never manage to show up)
3. Bad attitude/customer service
4. Constantly trying to rip you off by taking weird routes or trying to use the meter on flat-rate airport trips
5. High prices for shitty cars compared to Uber's range of services
I'd ride taxis, but only when I had to. The bus system was a more pleasant and reliable way of getting from one place to another. Uber has really changed that. For the 30% of the population that lives in cities it's a realistic alternative to dealing with a car, particularly if you're not a kid chauffeur.
People like me that would never have taken a taxi in San Fancisco use these services. They are creating new markets.
When you really think of it, car ownership for a majority of the people is really silly as most cars are idle 90% of the time.
Car manufacturers should be afraid because once Uber, Lyft and Co start a subscription business (pay a fixed amount monthly for a generous travel distance monthly) fewer people we see any reason to own cars.
That will be a good thing.