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> Uber says there is a surplus, people driving cars with empty seats, and they attempt to capture that surplus. That's not what got Uber in trouble. Ride-shari
by tomp 12y ago
> Uber says there is a surplus, people driving cars with empty seats, and they attempt to capture that surplus.
That's not what got Uber in trouble. Ride-sharing is extremely well-developed in Germany (it's called mitfahrgelegenheit, extremely popular, mostly for longer trips between cities), and it's probably not illegal. Uber, however, was/is operating a taxi company (admittedly, ride-sharing is much less useful within cities, because there is a much lower chance of someone going exactly where you need to go, exactly when you want to go).
- Xylakant 12y agoRide sharing is specifically exempt from the regulations as long as the total fare is below the actual costs for the trip (fuel, tire wear, etc.). So yes, it's legal.
- tomp 12y agoMakes sense, because the idea of ride-sharing is that you're making the trip anyways, and you're just lowering the actual and ecological/wear-and-tear/wasted time costs if you're taking other people with you. Uber is very obviously not doing that.
- _up 12y agoI heard from another German startup that drives for tips. The idea is the App suggests a "fair" tip amount. And you probably wont be getting a taxi in the future, if you pay less. I am sceptical that this will fly with regulators, but who knows.
- Xylakant 12y agoYou're talking about Wundercar. The had a run-in with the regulators but adapted their business model accordingly, so at the moment, they're in the green. If the whole business model flies, that's a different question though.