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Berlin startup Blacklane serves more cities and airports worldwide than Uber

57 points by robinwauters 11y ago

ComputerGuru 11y ago
Which is crazy because the sheer number of viable options in the USA is certainty stacked in Uber's favor. And it's not like they have the issue most companies do when addressing urban sprawl: there is no "not big enough to merit our time" barrier to entry for even the least-trafficked U.S. Airports or cities.
- nostrebored 11y ago
  Targeting a number of airports is a significantly different problem than targeting an entire city. You certainly have a problem with reaching a critical mass of users/drivers in a less traveled U.S. Airport or City. Fewer drivers in fewer locations means longer wait times and worse service.
  - prostoalex 11y ago
    Blacklane allows any address for pick up and drop-off. It's just the nature of their rides (pre-arranged at least two hours ahead, must commit to exact pick up time) that makes them fit for anything time-critical - airport rides, proms, i.e. anything you would normally use a car service for.
diminoten 11y ago
> We partner with local, established chauffeur services in each city where we operate. Thus we don’t have any of the conflicts, regulatory mess or slashed tires which have come to symbolize Uber.” Why can't Uber do this? Don't they, with their black car service? UberX is the "problem child" of Uber, isn't it?
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  Because Uber doesn't believe it has to follow local laws/regulations regarding transportation services. Have fun blowing that VC money chaps!
  - prostoalex 11y ago
    Before UberX launch they used to be big believers into licensing, etc. But Lyft's growth spooked them into launching UberX http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/01/uber-opens-up-platform-to-non-limo-vehicles-with-uber-x-service-will-be-35-less-expensive/ http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/01/uber-opens-up-platform-to-n... which kinda dragged the entire company into this antagonistic realm.
- mseebach 11y ago
  Yes and no. Yes, Uber partners with existing licensed black cars services (or their drivers, not sure of the exact mechanics), yes, X is controversial in its own regard (and Pop even more so) - but: some of the controversy is around how Uber makes black cars behave more like cabs - as in, you can almost-hail them on the street, rather than properly pre-booking them. I think I read that in Germany, black cars have to return to their base between each fare, specifically to avoid this (I also recall reading that Uber complies with this, don't know how that works).
- prostoalex 11y ago
  A lot of those guys happily accept bookings made in advance (not just airport rides, but proms, wine tours, weddings, etc.), so the idea of them getting dressed up, driving to an airport and simply waiting for on-demand ride might not resonate. Blacklane, Limos.com, Wingz all allow for pre-arranged airport transportation, hours and days ahead. I don't know why it's not an Uber option yet.

57 points by robinwauters 11y ago

Which is crazy because the sheer number of viable options in the USA is certainty stacked in Uber's favor. And it's not like they have the issue most companies do when addressing urban sprawl: there is no "not big enough to merit our time" barrier to entry for even the least-trafficked U.S. Airports or cities.

nostrebored 11y ago
Targeting a number of airports is a significantly different problem than targeting an entire city. You certainly have a problem with reaching a critical mass of users/drivers in a less traveled U.S. Airport or City. Fewer drivers in fewer locations means longer wait times and worse service.
- prostoalex 11y ago
  Blacklane allows any address for pick up and drop-off. It's just the nature of their rides (pre-arranged at least two hours ahead, must commit to exact pick up time) that makes them fit for anything time-critical - airport rides, proms, i.e. anything you would normally use a car service for.

diminoten 11y ago

> We partner with local, established chauffeur services in each city where we operate. Thus we don’t have any of the conflicts, regulatory mess or slashed tires which have come to symbolize Uber.” Why can't Uber do this? Don't they, with their black car service? UberX is the "problem child" of Uber, isn't it?

toomuchtodo 11y ago
Because Uber doesn't believe it has to follow local laws/regulations regarding transportation services. Have fun blowing that VC money chaps!
- prostoalex 11y ago
  Before UberX launch they used to be big believers into licensing, etc. But Lyft's growth spooked them into launching UberX http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/01/uber-opens-up-platform-to-non-limo-vehicles-with-uber-x-service-will-be-35-less-expensive/ http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/01/uber-opens-up-platform-to-n... which kinda dragged the entire company into this antagonistic realm.
mseebach 11y ago
Yes and no. Yes, Uber partners with existing licensed black cars services (or their drivers, not sure of the exact mechanics), yes, X is controversial in its own regard (and Pop even more so) - but: some of the controversy is around how Uber makes black cars behave more like cabs - as in, you can almost-hail them on the street, rather than properly pre-booking them. I think I read that in Germany, black cars have to return to their base between each fare, specifically to avoid this (I also recall reading that Uber complies with this, don't know how that works).
prostoalex 11y ago
A lot of those guys happily accept bookings made in advance (not just airport rides, but proms, wine tours, weddings, etc.), so the idea of them getting dressed up, driving to an airport and simply waiting for on-demand ride might not resonate. Blacklane, Limos.com, Wingz all allow for pre-arranged airport transportation, hours and days ahead. I don't know why it's not an Uber option yet.