4 ms·

Didn't see this as I skimmed the article but: What happens when people return? The train lets off a bunch of people at once that need rides, but will there be e

by noer 10y ago

Didn't see this as I skimmed the article but: What happens when people return? The train lets off a bunch of people at once that need rides, but will there be enough uber drivers to meet the demand?

bhups 10y ago
There can be if Uber's systems can proactively position the supply to meet the predicted demand.
ghaff 10y ago
I'd really have a general question about how well Uber (or competitors) can deal with very spiky demands. Suburban towns haven't historically had a lot of demand for taxis so one wonders how many drivers will sign up to provide transportation during a fairly narrow timeframe in the morning and the evening. It's not that there isn't a potential pool of drivers who are fine with working a few hours a day but it's not obvious.
- cowsandmilk 10y ago
  For the commuter rail case, where there is a lot, would you be willing to hop in your car after getting off the commuter rail and turn on uber and be a driver for one ride on your way home? Would uber allow you to be a driver with such low volume?
bandrami 10y ago
I work near Dulles Airport and Uber sends pings to drivers throughout northern VA that a bunch of flights are about to come in, in some cases offering a bounty if they go. This town itself may not have a ton of Uber drivers, but they can come from anywhere in the area.
- noer 10y ago
  Yeah, I guess that was my question. I know they can come from other areas, but when I've taken commuter rail to the suburbs, there are always a few taxis waiting, but never enough to handle the traffic of people who need to get home, it's usually just 1-3 taxis waiting. That said, the town is 6 square miles and they're not getting rid of the existing lot. If you're close enough to the station, why not just walk?
- chrisseaton 10y ago
  Aren't there a bunch of flights coming in every minute, all day at a major airport like Dulles? If the pinged them when flights were coming it'd be pinging all day.
  - bandrami 10y ago
    There are a few big rushes. The morning east coast shuttles get in at about 8:30, and the evening ones at about 6. The big bunch of intercontinental flights get in around midnight.
ascagnel_ 10y ago
At 6 mi^2 and trains arriving once every 30-45 minutes at rush hour, that's enough time for a fare to be picked up at the station, dropped off at home, and the driver to return to the station to repeat.

by noer 10y ago

Didn't see this as I skimmed the article but: What happens when people return? The train lets off a bunch of people at once that need rides, but will there be enough uber drivers to meet the demand?

bhups 10y ago

There can be if Uber's systems can proactively position the supply to meet the predicted demand.

ghaff 10y ago

I'd really have a general question about how well Uber (or competitors) can deal with very spiky demands. Suburban towns haven't historically had a lot of demand for taxis so one wonders how many drivers will sign up to provide transportation during a fairly narrow timeframe in the morning and the evening. It's not that there isn't a potential pool of drivers who are fine with working a few hours a day but it's not obvious.

cowsandmilk 10y ago
For the commuter rail case, where there is a lot, would you be willing to hop in your car after getting off the commuter rail and turn on uber and be a driver for one ride on your way home? Would uber allow you to be a driver with such low volume?

bandrami 10y ago

I work near Dulles Airport and Uber sends pings to drivers throughout northern VA that a bunch of flights are about to come in, in some cases offering a bounty if they go. This town itself may not have a ton of Uber drivers, but they can come from anywhere in the area.

noer 10y ago
Yeah, I guess that was my question. I know they can come from other areas, but when I've taken commuter rail to the suburbs, there are always a few taxis waiting, but never enough to handle the traffic of people who need to get home, it's usually just 1-3 taxis waiting. That said, the town is 6 square miles and they're not getting rid of the existing lot. If you're close enough to the station, why not just walk?
chrisseaton 10y ago
Aren't there a bunch of flights coming in every minute, all day at a major airport like Dulles? If the pinged them when flights were coming it'd be pinging all day.
- bandrami 10y ago
  There are a few big rushes. The morning east coast shuttles get in at about 8:30, and the evening ones at about 6. The big bunch of intercontinental flights get in around midnight.

ascagnel_ 10y ago

At 6 mi^2 and trains arriving once every 30-45 minutes at rush hour, that's enough time for a fare to be picked up at the station, dropped off at home, and the driver to return to the station to repeat.