8 ms·
Sound like a nice idea, but unfortunately taxis are a regulated industry in most major cities (e.g. NYC, Boston, Chicago). The difference between a taxi and non
by keltex 16y ago
Sound like a nice idea, but unfortunately taxis are a regulated industry in most major cities (e.g. NYC, Boston, Chicago). The difference between a taxi and non-taxi are usually that a taxi license or medallion is required in order to legally stop for somebody hailing down a cab on a street.
If this service became at all popular, it is very likely that cities would immediately include "mobile hailing" as also requiring a license. The entrenched interests of the taxi companies are simply too big (and they have the political clout) to let this one slide under the radar.
- patio11 16y agoMedallions are a conspiracy against the public, especially the poor and minorities, who both are disproportionately refused cab service and prevented from lawfully pursuing a value-creating occupation in their communities which requires only modest capital and no special training. See also hairdressing regulations and a host of others. I could be persuaded there exists an optimum amount of regulation for compensated car rides north of that for uncompensated car rides, but medallions have to go. With market values in the six figures though, good luck: holders have solid incentives for corruption like their lives depend on it, but the average citizen just gets minority overcharged, and the worst affected do not vote or matter in most political calculuses.
- snorkel 16y agoThe limited supply of taxi medallions is a good thing otherwise city streets would be clogged with taxis even more so than now.
- tptacek 16y agoDisagree. The policies behind medallions may be stupid and unfair, but their existence provides a mechanism of accountability (you can lose them, and they're hellaciously expensive) that doesn't exist with iPhone dispatch. It doesn't surprise you that cab drivers in Chicago basically never drive you to random destinations, or change fares midway through the ride? The goodness of cab driver hearts isn't what's preventing it.
- ced 16y agoWhat prevents you from walking away without paying? (that's a genuine question, not a flippant remark)
- tptacek 16y agoPhysical intimidation.
- Estragon 16y agoNothing. I did it once, in a particularly abusive situation in Boston.
- tptacek 16y agoI'm guessing you're male, young, a US resident, and not physically disabled. Tweak any of those variables, conduct 10 trials with an otherwise randomized population, and see how the results compare to your experience.
- Estragon 16y agoNothing. I did it once, in a particularly abusive situation in Boston.
- patio11 16y agoI do more of my traveling from airport to suburbs than inside the city, so I get to use a car service. It is pretty simple: I call American Taxi (by way of Bangalore), they send me an Eastern European immigrant with a car, and he whisks me home for the published flat fee. Their incentive to not screw me is that they value my continued custom (and chargebacks are a beast). His incentive to not screw me is that he values his cell phone continuing to buzz with new fares. They transparently operate in a low-trust environment: there are cards in the back of the back of the car for who to call for a refund in event of a dispute. Putting this on an iPhone makes it geekier, but does not appear to change the threat model. No medallion, and pretty close to a technolibertarian paradise. I feel the need to illegalize something to wipe that smug look off their faces. :) Sadly, they are legally prohibited from offering exactly the same service if both endpoints are within Chicago proper.
- jfager 16y agoI don't know about other places, but here in NYC, in the poorer neighborhoods in Brooklyn at least, there's a thriving system of taxi alternatives. You'll frequently see cars or vans packed full of people getting rides for a buck or two, and the cops don't seem to pay much attention to it. In Manhattan or other parts of the city, I don't see how this kind of thing could compete with the yellow cabs or the car services. People have the money to pay the higher prices, and there are enough horror stories (true or not) floating around that very few would see it as worth the risk.
- yummyfajitas 16y agoJersey City has jitney buses which are an excellent means of public transit. They compete with public buses, providing more frequent (but less predictable) service at lower prices.
- lolhn 16y agoYou literally have no idea how much respect I lost for you with this post. It shows a level of ignorant thoughtlessness that is uncharacteristic of your posts. I guess you've reached a point where you mistake being somewhat competent at one thing for being perfect at all things. Sad.
- amirmc 16y agoIn the UK, 'mobile hailing' would be equivalent to pre-booking. In many parts of the UK pre-booked cabs are referred to as Private Hire vehicles. The only cabs you can hail on the street are Hackney Carriages. I believe unlicensed minicabs are illegal in the UK but London still seems to have problems with them. For both Private Hire and Hackney Carriages, the cars/drivers are licensed and must meet regulatory requirements regarding vehicles and insurance policies. I believe the requirements for Hackney Carriages are more stringent. Those licences exist to protect the public. For both types of licensed drivers, UberCab would be a great extension. However, I can only imagine it working if the taxi firms themselves were willing to implement it.