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An Uber-like app where people pay for their rides with banked miles earned by giving others rides. This would serve a large market of people that a) travel alo

An Uber-like app where people pay for their rides with banked miles earned by giving others rides. This would serve a large market of people that a) travel alot and can give rides in their home city (free rides when they travel) and b) people that only have part-time access to a car but may need rides when they don't have it. It may also be legal in areas where Uber can't legally operate because they charge money for rides. If it got big enough, Uber would probably buy it.

bring1 12y ago
we have that already, the layer is called "money" you can give people rides and be compensated in the "money points (usually US dollar). Later you can use this points to recieve rides yourself by others. great thing is that you can use those points for many goods and services and not only for rides.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- downandout 12y ago
  After the 20% they pay to Uber, and income taxes on the money earned from Uber, they would wind up with half of the miles they had earned through this "money" layer. With this, they get full value for each mile. Additionally, Uber is restricted from entering into many markets (example: their failed entry into Nevada, where one of the largest tourist markets on earth is located). With free - as in no money changing hands - rides, presumably the app would be allowed everywhere.
  - pdabbadabba 12y ago
    You don't need money to change hands for a transaction to be taxable. The sort of barter-based system you describe would also (in theory) be taxed. The only difference is that tax enforcement would be much more difficult under your system. That would work well for a while, but if your service got really big, and became a target for enforcement, you (or your users) might have serious tax problems.
- damian2000 12y ago
  Uber is popular even though there's taxis because people want to use an awesome looking app with ratings and GPS tracking.
  - Fourkeys 12y ago
    In London it is popular because it is the cheapest form of taxi and in many cases quite significantly without sacrificing any convenience and in many cases adding much more convenience.
- DanBC 12y ago
  Accepting money to provide transport to random members of the public is something explicitly covered by laws in many countries: you can only do it when you've been regulated. It's also explicity forbidden by most insurance policies.
mrborgen 12y ago
Seems like a good idea! But doesn't a service like this exist?
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
damian2000 12y ago
Sounds like a ride sharing or car pooling idea. I agree - there's a lack of a globally recognised service like Uber but for free ride sharing only. I would definitely use it. It could also be used by volunteer organisations, who would provide cars and drivers for the service of certain groups (like pensioners, elderly, etc.)
mathgeek 12y ago
You've essentially described bitcoin in its early days. No matter what quasi-currency you use in such a system, once it becomes large enough it will be taxed and regulated.

bring1 12y ago

we have that already, the layer is called "money" you can give people rides and be compensated in the "money points (usually US dollar). Later you can use this points to recieve rides yourself by others. great thing is that you can use those points for many goods and services and not only for rides.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
downandout 12y ago
After the 20% they pay to Uber, and income taxes on the money earned from Uber, they would wind up with half of the miles they had earned through this "money" layer. With this, they get full value for each mile. Additionally, Uber is restricted from entering into many markets (example: their failed entry into Nevada, where one of the largest tourist markets on earth is located). With free - as in no money changing hands - rides, presumably the app would be allowed everywhere.
- pdabbadabba 12y ago
  You don't need money to change hands for a transaction to be taxable. The sort of barter-based system you describe would also (in theory) be taxed. The only difference is that tax enforcement would be much more difficult under your system. That would work well for a while, but if your service got really big, and became a target for enforcement, you (or your users) might have serious tax problems.
damian2000 12y ago
Uber is popular even though there's taxis because people want to use an awesome looking app with ratings and GPS tracking.
- Fourkeys 12y ago
  In London it is popular because it is the cheapest form of taxi and in many cases quite significantly without sacrificing any convenience and in many cases adding much more convenience.
DanBC 12y ago
Accepting money to provide transport to random members of the public is something explicitly covered by laws in many countries: you can only do it when you've been regulated. It's also explicity forbidden by most insurance policies.

mrborgen 12y ago

Seems like a good idea! But doesn't a service like this exist?

deleted 12y ago

[deleted]

damian2000 12y ago

Sounds like a ride sharing or car pooling idea. I agree - there's a lack of a globally recognised service like Uber but for free ride sharing only. I would definitely use it. It could also be used by volunteer organisations, who would provide cars and drivers for the service of certain groups (like pensioners, elderly, etc.)

mathgeek 12y ago

You've essentially described bitcoin in its early days. No matter what quasi-currency you use in such a system, once it becomes large enough it will be taxed and regulated.