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Uber aren't profitable as it is (and their prices aren't that much cheaper than taxi's in the UK - so they can't just price hike without losing large numbers of
by mckee1 10y ago
Uber aren't profitable as it is (and their prices aren't that much cheaper than taxi's in the UK - so they can't just price hike without losing large numbers of customers).
I assume their strategy for profitability now, in the UK at least, is just take VC money until driverless cars are legalised.
- caractacus 10y ago> their prices aren't that much cheaper than taxi's in the UK Really? I find them at least a third cheaper than taxis in London for any trip over about five minutes. I still feel guilty for taking an Uber (and note the difference in ability and knowledge immediately compared to black cabs). I'll be more inclined to take them, even with less of a saving, knowing that they are not allowed to treat their drivers quite so poorly.
- mckee1 10y agoSorry I should clarify - not that much cheaper than private hire taxis I meant, ie Addison Lee.
- 0898 10y agoYes, in London Uber is at least a third cheaper – possibly more – than a black cab fare. It's almost too cheap. I would happily pay a little bit more.
- wlll 10y ago> I find them at least a third cheaper than taxis in London They're much cheaper than black cabs in Manchester too, but still about equivalent to private hire companies, surge pricing aside.
- johnzim 10y agoI've had 2 situations where the Knowledge of black cab drivers has been hopelessly outclassed by the smarts of smartphone sat-nav. The cab drivers sat in traffic, the Uber drivers were alerted and rerouted. I arrived on time and with a smaller bill. Sure a black cab driver could have done that with smartphone alerts but none of them seem to make use of them - perhaps it's due to professional pride derived from passing the famously difficult "Knowledge" exams. Finally, black cabs are horrible if you're a cyclist, whereas Uber drivers are by-and-large no different from any other driver. I'm glad the Uber drivers have better employment status now but aside from the horrible misfortune of having bought a hackney license, I don't really have too much sympathy for Black Cab drivers.
- thescriptkiddie 10y agoWhy can't they just raise the price? The service uber provides is so far superior to a traditional taxi that customers would surely be willing to pay more. I'd gladly pay much more, perhaps even double the current rates.