3 ms·

Supply and demand was implicit in that you were able to hail a cab. If it's a rainy night and no cabs are available, the effective price of a cab is infinity d

by spir 12y ago

Supply and demand was implicit in that you were able to hail a cab. If it's a rainy night and no cabs are available, the effective price of a cab is infinity dollars. Uber's surge pricing reduces infinity to a mere 1.5-5x. I can appreciate your interest in the anonymity provided by cash, but study some economics :P. Try these two EconTalk episodes: - http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2006/04/ticket_scalping.html http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2006/04/ticket_scalping.htm... - http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/01/munger_on_price_1.html http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2007/01/munger_on_price_1.h...

spacefight 12y ago
5x the normal price is not what I call fair. It gives a huge advantage to folks who can afford that surge price. The regular client wo needs a ride and can't afford that, is missing out. If that system would be used in regular cabs, all sorts of folks would have issues. Like the elderly, disabled or injured people who need a ride and don't have other means of transportation.
- mwsherman 12y ago
  You have to compare that to the non-availability of cabs. Is 5x more fair than a cab that you can’t get for any price? An elderly, disabled, or injured person is poorly served by unavailable services.
- icebraining 12y ago
  And is it fair that someone who has other means of transportation gets a cheap ride, while the elderly person who needs a cab urgently is forced to wait for his chance because there aren't enough cars on the street?
  - spacefight 12y ago
    Have I stated anything in that regard of why do you ask?
  - ElComradio 12y ago
    That would present you with a great business opportunity: transporting people at specific prescheduled times, since current options are failing. Hopefully you won't have regulations preventing you from doing so.
- viscanti 12y ago
  What it does is give a huge incentive to wait if it's possible to wait. On the busiest days of the year, Uber sends out a message to let people know when those busiest times will be, so people who care about the price can plan accordingly.
  - spacefight 12y ago
    My post was mostly focussed on those who _have_ to go at certain times. E.g. to see a docter during an injury etc.

by spir 12y ago

spacefight 12y ago

5x the normal price is not what I call fair. It gives a huge advantage to folks who can afford that surge price. The regular client wo needs a ride and can't afford that, is missing out. If that system would be used in regular cabs, all sorts of folks would have issues. Like the elderly, disabled or injured people who need a ride and don't have other means of transportation.

mwsherman 12y ago
You have to compare that to the non-availability of cabs. Is 5x more fair than a cab that you can’t get for any price? An elderly, disabled, or injured person is poorly served by unavailable services.
icebraining 12y ago
And is it fair that someone who has other means of transportation gets a cheap ride, while the elderly person who needs a cab urgently is forced to wait for his chance because there aren't enough cars on the street?
- spacefight 12y ago
  Have I stated anything in that regard of why do you ask?
- ElComradio 12y ago
  That would present you with a great business opportunity: transporting people at specific prescheduled times, since current options are failing. Hopefully you won't have regulations preventing you from doing so.
viscanti 12y ago
What it does is give a huge incentive to wait if it's possible to wait. On the busiest days of the year, Uber sends out a message to let people know when those busiest times will be, so people who care about the price can plan accordingly.
- spacefight 12y ago
  My post was mostly focussed on those who _have_ to go at certain times. E.g. to see a docter during an injury etc.