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Uber hasn’t killed the taxi industry after all
- Jtsummers 10y agoIf anything I think Uber has motivated taxi companies to innovate. I'm not sure how long they'd been using it, but when I visited Buenos Aires the cabs could be summoned (similar to Uber) and had apps on their phones (typically attached to their dashboard somehow) showing GPS and (presumably) where they were being summoned to (of course I was a passenger so didn't witness this side of it). Uber makes it possible for me, living in a relatively small city, to make some extra cash because there's not enough demand for full-time taxi services. We have a couple, but they mostly ferry around the elderly and people who've lot their licenses (typical DUIs). Most of the business is Friday night, taking people home from downtown. But you can't justify a fleet for that limited demand. In larger cities, Uber's not necessarily disruptive enough to replace taxis unless the existing companies refuse to accept change (possibly reducing fares, making themselves more accessible to customers, etc.).
- omarforgotpwd 10y agoTaxis are way better than cabs in New York City, especially Manhattan. When you order an uber you get someone one block away but instead of being able to run and catch him you have to wait half an hour for him to go around the block. Meanwhile you can stick your hand up and get a car to pull over within one second. NYC cabs even take NFC. the other thing is that uber drivers are all amateurs who are new and probably got some kind of payment incentive. taxi drivers in NYC are much better, much more aggressive drivers who can get you around town MUCH faster