5 ms·

The main issue with "each their own app" is that as a person who travels, I'm not going to install one-app-per-city. I'll just use Uber.

haswell 11y ago
I'd love to see some kind of universal "Hailing" API. Something that would allow a single app to coordinate rides wherever you go. I travel as well, and really wish I didn't need to have an entire folder of transportation apps on my phone. But alas, I have a feeling that many services would not go along with this because of direct competition in the same market area. And some probably just aren't sophisticated enough to publish an API, much less adopt a centralized / standardized interface. But I can dream.
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
- kawera 11y ago
  Yes, protocols, not platforms.
  - nathancahill 11y ago
    When was the last time a protocol had a unicorn valuation? I completely agree, but it's not aligned with investor interest.
    - mingus68040 11y ago
      Protocols don't exist to serve investors.
- toephu2 11y ago
  that's what they are working on (Lyft, Didi, etc): http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/03/lyft-didi-ola-and-grabtaxi-partner-in-global-tech-service-alliance-to-rival-uber/ http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/03/lyft-didi-ola-and-grabtaxi-...
mangeletti 11y ago
Here's a business idea (maybe exists - I hope): An app that functions much like Uber (handles payments, hailing, logistical things, etc.), has a recognized brand and federated logins (users can travel and use it in different cities, much like they can Uber), but which can be sold to municipalities, counties, and states, as a means for managing their taxi infrastructure. In other words, Uber, but for licensed cabs who manage and publish their own pricing structure through the system. Now, I'm not suggesting that this would necessarily lead to immediate gains in customer satisfaction, but it avoids creating a monopoly on driver employment, which really bad in the long run, for many reasons. Some of the bad things that can and will happen, if Uber corners the global market (they haven't quite yet): 1. Replace all drivers with self-driving cars, starting with the busiest routes first 2. Raise both fare prices and the percent they charge to drivers (we've seen them experiment with the latter many times) 3. Take (even more) shortcuts to increase profits, at the expense of driver and rider experience, since there is nowhere else to look So, while Uber makes most taxi companies today look bad (quality, and price in some cases), the situation is not sustainable when they become a monopoly.
- LLWM 11y ago
  Outcome 1 is not a bad thing, it's incredibly good.
janfoeh 11y ago
There is http://www.taxi.eu/en/ http://www.taxi.eu/en/ My local cab coop uses it, and I'm quite happy with it.

haswell 11y ago

I'd love to see some kind of universal "Hailing" API. Something that would allow a single app to coordinate rides wherever you go. I travel as well, and really wish I didn't need to have an entire folder of transportation apps on my phone. But alas, I have a feeling that many services would not go along with this because of direct competition in the same market area. And some probably just aren't sophisticated enough to publish an API, much less adopt a centralized / standardized interface. But I can dream.

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
kawera 11y ago
Yes, protocols, not platforms.
- nathancahill 11y ago
  When was the last time a protocol had a unicorn valuation? I completely agree, but it's not aligned with investor interest.
  - mingus68040 11y ago
    Protocols don't exist to serve investors.
toephu2 11y ago
that's what they are working on (Lyft, Didi, etc): http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/03/lyft-didi-ola-and-grabtaxi-partner-in-global-tech-service-alliance-to-rival-uber/ http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/03/lyft-didi-ola-and-grabtaxi-...

mangeletti 11y ago

Here's a business idea (maybe exists - I hope): An app that functions much like Uber (handles payments, hailing, logistical things, etc.), has a recognized brand and federated logins (users can travel and use it in different cities, much like they can Uber), but which can be sold to municipalities, counties, and states, as a means for managing their taxi infrastructure. In other words, Uber, but for licensed cabs who manage and publish their own pricing structure through the system. Now, I'm not suggesting that this would necessarily lead to immediate gains in customer satisfaction, but it avoids creating a monopoly on driver employment, which really bad in the long run, for many reasons. Some of the bad things that can and will happen, if Uber corners the global market (they haven't quite yet): 1. Replace all drivers with self-driving cars, starting with the busiest routes first 2. Raise both fare prices and the percent they charge to drivers (we've seen them experiment with the latter many times) 3. Take (even more) shortcuts to increase profits, at the expense of driver and rider experience, since there is nowhere else to look So, while Uber makes most taxi companies today look bad (quality, and price in some cases), the situation is not sustainable when they become a monopoly.

LLWM 11y ago
Outcome 1 is not a bad thing, it's incredibly good.

janfoeh 11y ago

There is http://www.taxi.eu/en/ http://www.taxi.eu/en/ My local cab coop uses it, and I'm quite happy with it.