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This is very NYC-centric. A big part of the value of Uber/Lyft is that they provide a similar service in many places where it simply wasn't available before. Th
by aesthesia 8y ago
This is very NYC-centric. A big part of the value of Uber/Lyft is that they provide a similar service in many places where it simply wasn't available before. The automation and deprofessionalization played a big role in making that possible.
- _e 8y agoYes, aesthesia makes a very important point. Uber/Lyft & Co. standardized the UX just like you can expect what a Big Mac tastes like at any McDonalds in the world.
- Silfen 8y agoIt's not just homogeneity. Cab and car services basically didn't exist in many US cities prior to ride sharing. I'm a carless transit fanatic, but 10 years ago I'd probably have to buy a car to live comfortably in my current neighborhood.
- mabbo 8y agoNot only NYC-centric, but affluent NYC-centric. One of the advantages of Uber is that you can get your ride to wherever you need to go, whoever you are and the drivers have far less to worry about. I've heard many stories about people saying that cabs and private hire companies simply wouldn't go to <neighbourhood> or pick up people who sounded non-white-affluent, meaning a large swath of people were discriminated against and couldn't get rides. With Uber/Lyft, the driver doesn't know what I look like, what I sound like, or where I'm going until I'm in the car. And the driver has no reason to discriminate because he's getting paid regardless.