When calling for a cab (in most places you need to call a central dispatch to get one, hailing only works if you’re in the middle of a major city), you have to

When calling for a cab (in most places you need to call a central dispatch to get one, hailing only works if you’re in the middle of a major city), you have to call into a dispatch service and they put out a request over the radio. Cabbies each decide if they want to take the fare, and if nobody does then too bad for you. There’s no feedback telling you if someone accepted and if you’re too far out of town, it’s very possible that no one will ever show up. I’ve definitely sat for hours waiting for a cab and there’s no way to know the status. At least with these apps, you know if the ride was accepted and when they’ll be there. If nobody accepts, you can make other arrangements.