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I wanted to know if I'm the only one who doesn't find these apps convenient. I'm in NYC and have been trying to use Uber and Lyft, but I keep finding that whene

I wanted to know if I'm the only one who doesn't find these apps convenient. I'm in NYC and have been trying to use Uber and Lyft, but I keep finding that whenever I request a ride, the driver usually takes too long to get to me (e.g. gets lost and goes the wrong way), and in that time I see like 20+ taxis drive past. Why would I wait 5-10 minutes for an Uber/Lyft when I could, in the same amount of time, be closer to my destination by just hailing a regular taxi? Surely I'm not the only person experiencing this. I want to love Uber/Lyft, but so far my experience has just been one of hassle and inconvenience. I was motivated to try them out because of free credits, and I'm trying to use up my free rides before they expire, but it's just been too painful so far!

untog 10y ago
NYC is the exception to a lot of rules, this one included. And to be honest, as an NYC resident, I still disagree with you. If you're in central Manhattan you'll get a yellow cab very easily, but if you're anywhere outside of that area you will have a significantly more difficult time. Another advantage to me is the fact that my destination is programmed in - I've had to deal with a lot of yellow cab drivers who have absolutely no idea where they are going or the location I am talking about.
jastanton 10y ago
Biggest reasons for me: 1) Driver and I agree on a best route via mapping software, no more getting lost, miscommunications or malicious route designed to get more money out of me. 2) Payments are clear and fast. No more getting pressured and hounded for cash when I only cary my card. 3) It's always a clean nice car. No more duct tape over check engine lights. 4) I know if there is ever an issue I know it's going to get taken care of instantly by Ubers excellent staff. No more terrible customer service.
- ape4 10y ago
  Uber doesn't have any staff. They're all contractors, like the drivers.
  - marklyon 10y ago
    They do have a rather large collection of actual employees. Their drivers, however, are not.
- dopeboy 10y ago
  Relevant: http://i.imgur.com/4HNM3Gd.jpg http://i.imgur.com/4HNM3Gd.jpg Circa June 2013 near Washington Square.
- scurvy 10y ago
  #2 is going to change for you soon. As part of a lawsuit settlement, Uber is going to allow for tipping, and the drivers will be allowed to ask for a tip in cash at the end of the ride. It's going to be awkward and a real shock to early Uber users.
  - marklyon 10y ago
    Easy solution to that problem: Solicit a tip, get 1 star. Uber is far more likely to keep me around as a passenger who pays the published rates and uses them frequently than a driver who continues to generate complaints from users due to tip solicitation. They can easily replace drivers with ones who won't do that.
    - scurvy 10y ago
      Most people will just concede to tipping with cash and it will be the new norm.
      - regnet 10y ago
        Who on earth is carrying cash? I'll give one stars to any driver asking for tips in cash.
        what_ever 10y ago
        I think you are still in minority about not carrying cash. Also the drivers rate you as well. Pretty sure you will be the one kicked off for low rating before the drivers.
        regnet 10y ago
        I think that's unfair. I won't start carrying cash. I guess I'll switch to whoever lets me tip through the app.
        marklyon 10y ago
        I suspect the risk of a paying customer getting kicked off the system is far lower than a driver who provides an off-brand experience.
dopeboy 10y ago
If you're in Manhattan below 125th st, dumbo, williamsburg, or downtown BK, hailing a yellow cab usually works out. Everywhere else uber/lyft are superior solutions.
onewaystreet 10y ago
NYC is arguably one of the only places in the world where you can conveniently hail a taxi. And that isn't the case if you happen to not be white. And while you might be able to hail a taxi in NYC that doesn't say anything about the quality of that taxi which has notoriously been poor.
- chrischen 10y ago
  I'm Asian and I don't think I've ever had a problem hailing a taxi in NYC.
  - onewaystreet 10y ago
    Probably can limit that statement to just black people.
  - untog 10y ago
    In this case "not white" can specifically be substituted for "being black" - there were huge problems with this years ago in NYC, to the extent that questions were asked when Uber first launched as to whether drivers would be able to see the ethnicity of the passengers asking to be picked up.
    - joering2 10y ago
      Oh boy - I cannot imagine the size of a lawsuit if that could be somehow proven to be true...
    - omarchowdhury 10y ago
      Well, they can see the name, I believe.
- catplexion 10y ago
  You're right, I'm sure it's much more convenient in places like SF, good point.
  - 10y ago

untog 10y ago

NYC is the exception to a lot of rules, this one included. And to be honest, as an NYC resident, I still disagree with you. If you're in central Manhattan you'll get a yellow cab very easily, but if you're anywhere outside of that area you will have a significantly more difficult time. Another advantage to me is the fact that my destination is programmed in - I've had to deal with a lot of yellow cab drivers who have absolutely no idea where they are going or the location I am talking about.

jastanton 10y ago

Biggest reasons for me: 1) Driver and I agree on a best route via mapping software, no more getting lost, miscommunications or malicious route designed to get more money out of me. 2) Payments are clear and fast. No more getting pressured and hounded for cash when I only cary my card. 3) It's always a clean nice car. No more duct tape over check engine lights. 4) I know if there is ever an issue I know it's going to get taken care of instantly by Ubers excellent staff. No more terrible customer service.

ape4 10y ago
Uber doesn't have any staff. They're all contractors, like the drivers.
- marklyon 10y ago
  They do have a rather large collection of actual employees. Their drivers, however, are not.
dopeboy 10y ago
Relevant: http://i.imgur.com/4HNM3Gd.jpg http://i.imgur.com/4HNM3Gd.jpg Circa June 2013 near Washington Square.
scurvy 10y ago
#2 is going to change for you soon. As part of a lawsuit settlement, Uber is going to allow for tipping, and the drivers will be allowed to ask for a tip in cash at the end of the ride. It's going to be awkward and a real shock to early Uber users.
- marklyon 10y ago
  Easy solution to that problem: Solicit a tip, get 1 star. Uber is far more likely to keep me around as a passenger who pays the published rates and uses them frequently than a driver who continues to generate complaints from users due to tip solicitation. They can easily replace drivers with ones who won't do that.
  - scurvy 10y ago
    Most people will just concede to tipping with cash and it will be the new norm.
    - regnet 10y ago
      Who on earth is carrying cash? I'll give one stars to any driver asking for tips in cash.
      - what_ever 10y ago
        I think you are still in minority about not carrying cash. Also the drivers rate you as well. Pretty sure you will be the one kicked off for low rating before the drivers.
        regnet 10y ago
        I think that's unfair. I won't start carrying cash. I guess I'll switch to whoever lets me tip through the app.
        marklyon 10y ago
        I suspect the risk of a paying customer getting kicked off the system is far lower than a driver who provides an off-brand experience.

dopeboy 10y ago

If you're in Manhattan below 125th st, dumbo, williamsburg, or downtown BK, hailing a yellow cab usually works out. Everywhere else uber/lyft are superior solutions.

onewaystreet 10y ago

NYC is arguably one of the only places in the world where you can conveniently hail a taxi. And that isn't the case if you happen to not be white. And while you might be able to hail a taxi in NYC that doesn't say anything about the quality of that taxi which has notoriously been poor.

chrischen 10y ago
I'm Asian and I don't think I've ever had a problem hailing a taxi in NYC.
- onewaystreet 10y ago
  Probably can limit that statement to just black people.
- untog 10y ago
  In this case "not white" can specifically be substituted for "being black" - there were huge problems with this years ago in NYC, to the extent that questions were asked when Uber first launched as to whether drivers would be able to see the ethnicity of the passengers asking to be picked up.
  - joering2 10y ago
    Oh boy - I cannot imagine the size of a lawsuit if that could be somehow proven to be true...
  - omarchowdhury 10y ago
    Well, they can see the name, I believe.
catplexion 10y ago
You're right, I'm sure it's much more convenient in places like SF, good point.
- 10y ago