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> how badly traditional transportation (starting with taxis) has been damaged by the bezzle. While the ultimate premise might be correct, this is not exactly a
by jen20 5y ago
> how badly traditional transportation (starting with taxis) has been damaged by the bezzle.
While the ultimate premise might be correct, this is not exactly a compelling example. Before Uber, cabs (in SF) refused to take credit cards, regularly didn’t show up when pre booked and often smelled like they had a rotting corpse in the back. They were “ok” in New York City - though frequently cabs would flout the law if the driver saw you had a suitcase, fearing a ride to JFK. But everywhere else they were completely terrible.
At least they accept credit cards now.
- pessimizer 5y agoCounterpoint: I found taxis fine. edit: I also didn't have to announce to the entire world where I go. I could flag one down, get in and tell them where I was going, pay, get out, and end the relationship. Talk about privacy concerns - Uber execs were literally tracking decisionmakers and enemies in realtime.
- jen20 5y agoYou could do this with Uber for many years also. The need to specify a destination location corresponded with fixed price rides, at least in New York. None of this changes the fact that you can only specify a destination with a cab if there is one to get in, though.
- ylee 5y ago>Before Uber, cabs (in SF) refused to take credit cards, regularly didn’t show up when pre booked In September 2005 I spent 20 minutes on a Sunday afternoon trying to get a cab at 19th and Judah before giving up and taking a Muni. (For those unfamiliar with San Francisco, 19th is the main north-south route through the city, so is very very busy at all times.) This is the sort of problem that car sharing has completely solved.