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I think there could be a market for a more ethical app, a better way to solve the problem of transport on demand, and this issue might be the perfect way to get

I think there could be a market for a more ethical app, a better way to solve the problem of transport on demand, and this issue might be the perfect way to get into the market. The app would be a subscription for drivers or passengers that is inexpensive and simply connects drivers with passengers. The drivers have to figure out how much the journey will cost which keeps down the server interaction/processing required per customer. Maybe the drivers could bid of there is a relative surplus of drivers, much like some apps offer now. The idea is to make an open market place to connect drivers and passengers, maybe even payment processors as well. The app should interfere and interact as little as possible with trips

astatine 3y ago
Take a look at ONDC. They do exactly this in India. Early days, but seemingly successful with very low fees. https://ondc.org/ https://ondc.org/
everforward 3y ago
> The drivers have to figure out how much the journey will cost which keeps down the server interaction/processing required per customer. I don't think this makes sense. This seems like something difficult for people to figure out and easy for computers. I would think the cost of doing that calculation is pennies at most. I would actually lean into the server processing. Have the drivers enter in their make/model, and a basic pricing algorithm (e.g. 10% over cost, or cost + $5 + 10%, or just $x/mile). The cost should preferably be "all in", including stuff like oil changes, wear and tear, depreciation, etc. When a customer requests a ride, they get automatic quotes from nearby drivers. > The drivers have to figure out how much the journey will cost which keeps down the server interaction/processing required per customer. This seems like an issue. If drivers don't have uniform pricing then they aren't fungible. As a user, if different drivers have different pricing, I expect to be able to be pick which driver and price I want. This seems at odds with drivers, who won't want to manually make quotes just to get turned down repeatedly. Like I said before, I don't think that server processing is a significant cost. I would expect that these kinds of rough cost calculations could be done locally on the phone.

astatine 3y ago

Take a look at ONDC. They do exactly this in India. Early days, but seemingly successful with very low fees. https://ondc.org/ https://ondc.org/

everforward 3y ago

> The drivers have to figure out how much the journey will cost which keeps down the server interaction/processing required per customer. I don't think this makes sense. This seems like something difficult for people to figure out and easy for computers. I would think the cost of doing that calculation is pennies at most. I would actually lean into the server processing. Have the drivers enter in their make/model, and a basic pricing algorithm (e.g. 10% over cost, or cost + $5 + 10%, or just $x/mile). The cost should preferably be "all in", including stuff like oil changes, wear and tear, depreciation, etc. When a customer requests a ride, they get automatic quotes from nearby drivers. > The drivers have to figure out how much the journey will cost which keeps down the server interaction/processing required per customer. This seems like an issue. If drivers don't have uniform pricing then they aren't fungible. As a user, if different drivers have different pricing, I expect to be able to be pick which driver and price I want. This seems at odds with drivers, who won't want to manually make quotes just to get turned down repeatedly. Like I said before, I don't think that server processing is a significant cost. I would expect that these kinds of rough cost calculations could be done locally on the phone.