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Lately my phone will die at 30% charge. I've ordered a new battery but last week it went out while I was looking for a Lyft. I normally don't use taxis but it w

Lately my phone will die at 30% charge. I've ordered a new battery but last week it went out while I was looking for a Lyft. I normally don't use taxis but it was cold and I was tired. Luckily I was near a train station and it was still early enough the buses were running, so I knew which transfers to make and which bus to get on without needing a map. Still I thought about how only a decade ago, I could be on this same street and hold up my hand and flag down a Taxi. Today if I really wanted a taxi, they're pretty much only in the city. I'd have to hunt around for a payphone and would need change too. If I didn't know my public transport routes back home or if it was late enough the trains stopped running, I'd be kinda SOL. I realize Taxis not just driving around saves on fuel consumption, but have we lost something by simply not being able to hail a cab without a charged phone or laptop with a Wi-Fi point? I wonder if Uber or Lyft will start putting out kiosks people can use to flag down rides when their phones or out.

RomanPushkin 8y ago
Yes, we've lost it. However, it can be fixed. I created app so everyone can be a taxi driver. It's PoC, but actually works. There are tons of problems, no critical mass, security. But anyway, I was once able to find a ride back home from San Francisco. This app is for everyone at https://libretaxi.org https://libretaxi.org (non-profit, open source) Disclaimer: I'm founder
- coolspot 8y ago
  Interesting that your app is Telegram bot instead of separate application. Will try it given the chance.
- jon-wood 8y ago
  As much as I love to see Open source solutions to problems having looked at the website this seems like a disaster waiting to happen without any sort of driver vetting. You’ve effectively made an app where people can broadcast to random strangers that they’re waiting around in the street, carrying cash, and far enough from home to need a lift. Sadly we don’t live in a world where something like that isn’t going to be flooded by people with ideas other than making a few bucks driving people home.
BeetleB 8y ago
>Still I thought about how only a decade ago, I could be on this same street and hold up my hand and flag down a Taxi. Today if I really wanted a taxi, they're pretty much only in the city. I'd have to hunt around for a payphone and would need change too. You just happen to live in one of the few cities where this used to be possible. For most of the country, even a decade ago, it would be very unlikely to find a cab by just waiting on the street. Maybe in downtown areas, but not on most streets. I've never lived in a place where I could rely on a taxi driving by when I need one. It's always been "Call a taxi on the phone".

RomanPushkin 8y ago

Yes, we've lost it. However, it can be fixed. I created app so everyone can be a taxi driver. It's PoC, but actually works. There are tons of problems, no critical mass, security. But anyway, I was once able to find a ride back home from San Francisco. This app is for everyone at https://libretaxi.org https://libretaxi.org (non-profit, open source) Disclaimer: I'm founder

coolspot 8y ago
Interesting that your app is Telegram bot instead of separate application. Will try it given the chance.
jon-wood 8y ago
As much as I love to see Open source solutions to problems having looked at the website this seems like a disaster waiting to happen without any sort of driver vetting. You’ve effectively made an app where people can broadcast to random strangers that they’re waiting around in the street, carrying cash, and far enough from home to need a lift. Sadly we don’t live in a world where something like that isn’t going to be flooded by people with ideas other than making a few bucks driving people home.

BeetleB 8y ago

>Still I thought about how only a decade ago, I could be on this same street and hold up my hand and flag down a Taxi. Today if I really wanted a taxi, they're pretty much only in the city. I'd have to hunt around for a payphone and would need change too. You just happen to live in one of the few cities where this used to be possible. For most of the country, even a decade ago, it would be very unlikely to find a cab by just waiting on the street. Maybe in downtown areas, but not on most streets. I've never lived in a place where I could rely on a taxi driving by when I need one. It's always been "Call a taxi on the phone".