4 ms·

Why is Über even mentioned? How about some details on the manufacturer of the seat the driver was sitting on, maybe what barber he usues too? Regardless, this

Why is Über even mentioned? How about some details on the manufacturer of the seat the driver was sitting on, maybe what barber he usues too? Regardless, this is tragic if true, and my heart goes out.

ryanhuff 14y ago
Uber is mentioned for the same reason why Craigslist is mentioned when something goes bad with a CL deal. It adds context to the story.
mikeash 14y ago
Same reason e.g. American Airlines would be mentioned if something similar happened with one of their pilots.
duaneb 14y ago
Uber doesn't really vet their drivers properly, or at least that's what I found with a little Googling. Uber should take responsibility because this person put trust in their service and got raped. Now, it could be that Uber did vet the guy and he came up clean, but they should make that clear.
lawnchair_larry 14y ago
It's relevant. Uber are creating a network of unregulated cabs, and people have been voicing concerns over the consequences of that. It can happen with a regulated cab too, but it's probably a little more sensitive given that there are no regulations at all. These concerns are not mine, and I'm not taking a position for or against Uber, I'm just pointing this out.
- duaneb 14y ago
  It's a matter of trust in the brand, not of whether Uber could have prevented it.
- rtkwe 14y ago
  They still employ specially licensed driver just like cab companies. The regulations they don't have to deal with are things like availability and rate laws iirc.
andrewguenther 14y ago
I think it is actually very important that Uber is mentioned. This comment explains it perfectly: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5377167 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5377167 The driver was an Uber driver, the company supported him as a driver. Any event that occurs while he is doing his work as an Uber driver deserves to have Uber mentioned.
- warfangle 14y ago
  Did we read the same article? The driver in question worked for Capitol Limo, not Uber. Uber was simply software that Capitol Limo used and got paid through. Capitol Limo should have been mentioned much more than Capitol Limo was. Any event that occurs while he is doing work as a Capitol Limo driver deserves to have Capitol Limo mentioned at least Capitol Limo times Capitol Limo Capitol Limo
nvr219 14y ago
Yeah this was probably a planted story by Big Livery
jordo37 14y ago
Uber is mentioned because as one of the other commenters mentions licensing processes that existing cab companies use offer real benefit in terms of knowing about your driver population, screening them and controlling them. The craiglist comparison is much more app than the the American Airlines one - a connection was made via this service with little oversight or regulation - that comes with benefits like higher availability and easier transactions, but it also can be risky.
DanBC 14y ago
Uber is mentioned because Washington have said that Uber is an unlicensed taxicab company, although they've changed some rule to make it allowable. (http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146123433/upstart-car-service-butts-heads-with-d-c-s-taxis http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146123433/upstart-car-service-...)

ryanhuff 14y ago

Uber is mentioned for the same reason why Craigslist is mentioned when something goes bad with a CL deal. It adds context to the story.

mikeash 14y ago

Same reason e.g. American Airlines would be mentioned if something similar happened with one of their pilots.

duaneb 14y ago

Uber doesn't really vet their drivers properly, or at least that's what I found with a little Googling. Uber should take responsibility because this person put trust in their service and got raped. Now, it could be that Uber did vet the guy and he came up clean, but they should make that clear.

lawnchair_larry 14y ago

It's relevant. Uber are creating a network of unregulated cabs, and people have been voicing concerns over the consequences of that. It can happen with a regulated cab too, but it's probably a little more sensitive given that there are no regulations at all. These concerns are not mine, and I'm not taking a position for or against Uber, I'm just pointing this out.

duaneb 14y ago
It's a matter of trust in the brand, not of whether Uber could have prevented it.
rtkwe 14y ago
They still employ specially licensed driver just like cab companies. The regulations they don't have to deal with are things like availability and rate laws iirc.

andrewguenther 14y ago

I think it is actually very important that Uber is mentioned. This comment explains it perfectly: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5377167 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5377167 The driver was an Uber driver, the company supported him as a driver. Any event that occurs while he is doing his work as an Uber driver deserves to have Uber mentioned.

warfangle 14y ago
Did we read the same article? The driver in question worked for Capitol Limo, not Uber. Uber was simply software that Capitol Limo used and got paid through. Capitol Limo should have been mentioned much more than Capitol Limo was. Any event that occurs while he is doing work as a Capitol Limo driver deserves to have Capitol Limo mentioned at least Capitol Limo times Capitol Limo Capitol Limo

nvr219 14y ago

Yeah this was probably a planted story by Big Livery

jordo37 14y ago

Uber is mentioned because as one of the other commenters mentions licensing processes that existing cab companies use offer real benefit in terms of knowing about your driver population, screening them and controlling them. The craiglist comparison is much more app than the the American Airlines one - a connection was made via this service with little oversight or regulation - that comes with benefits like higher availability and easier transactions, but it also can be risky.

DanBC 14y ago

Uber is mentioned because Washington have said that Uber is an unlicensed taxicab company, although they've changed some rule to make it allowable. (http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146123433/upstart-car-service-butts-heads-with-d-c-s-taxis http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146123433/upstart-car-service-...)