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Is it a baddie or a goodie?
You might get robbed and buggered.
Mini THMs use it a lot.
Yes. It's cheaper, more convenient and to me feels safer than hailing a random black cab.
Are they unethical though? There was a lot of controversy, wasn't there?
Specifically this is to take me to Cardiff Central for a train tomorrow, so I'll need to book a specific time and date.
Do they not have minicabs in Cardiff?
Well after the weekend's events, they are now being seen as corporate baddies aren't they....
Do not use Uber to get you to a train station. Unless you want to really test your nerves....
Its the gigg economy - a new form of ethics required
Aren't they the latest thing it's trendy to hate? Virtue signals ahoy!
Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick has a position on Mr Trump’s economic advisory group.
#deleteuber
molgrips - MemberAre they unethical though? There was a lot of controversy, wasn't there?
Specifically this is to take me to Cardiff Central for a train tomorrow, so I'll need to book a specific time and date.
You might get my FIL, he's recently stopped being a mini cab and started being an Uber (it's the same car).
Ethical, hard to say - it allows people who own cars to earn some money by giving other lifts to places, that's it. It's not a job, nor have they ever claimed to be offering one, some people who have devoted a lot of time to it and haven't made as much money as they feel they should have are upset about it, to me that's akin to claiming eBay owes you a living wage because your side-line in selling do-dahs and widgets isn't earning you £7 an hour. Most mini-cab drivers are self-employed too.
Where is does, start becoming unethical to me is that Taxis are taxed and the council also charge for their licence which goes into local public money, Uber does none of these things.
My FIL likes it because he's towards the end of a period of moving from full-time, to part-time and finally retirement, his car is 8 years old now which means it's more expensive and difficult to renew his license and the firms which run the phone numbers and such want paying the same however many hours you work. With Uber he just needs a valid license and a road legal car.
Do they not have minicabs in Cardiff?
Yes, hence the choice issue.
Boooooooooooo (said the black cab driver...)
Seems strange that uber sells itself as this and that to potential drivers and yet what it ultimately wants is to have automated cars that will put tens of thousands of uber drivers out of work and the only ones who will benefit will be the shareholders.
Boycott I say.
I've used Uber occasionally in London and it has been fine (Car quality variable), however have found Gett to be much better in Edinburgh, and it's black cabs too, and no real ethical dilemma. Not sure if they operate where you are/how good they are, but I'd go for Gett or Hailo over Uber where I had the choice.
Once tried to get into an uber taxi, and the maniac drove away as we tried to stick some stuff in the boot, boot still open. App updated, driver couldn't complete job! 😆 Tbh think he just shat himself when 4 of up trooped out a house in once of the less salubrious streets in glasgow! 😆
He turned up on a vw golf, which I found hilarious.
Nah wouldn't use them, my one experience of them has seen them labled as cowboys and shitebags forever more.
Phone a private. Don't use hacks either, they're just robbery.
Do not use Uber to get you to a train station. Unless you want to really test your nerves....
Why would Uber be different from any other taxi to get you to a train station ? 😐
Get an uber on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll find the price pretty much the same as a black cab.
Uber is rubbish in central London as they can't go in the bus lanes. But Uber for going home is good, and excellent value compared with a black cab. Also fine for normal use in the suburbs
Cycling is still betterer though
Drivers on far below the minimum wage, undercutting existing established and licenced businesses in a race to the bottom of workplace terms and conditions. Sound familiar ?
Inside London I won't use them, you never know what the fare will be £5 or £25 due to surge pricing. That being said they have been a life saver when a flight landed 2 hours late at Luton - Uber available at midnight when taxi rank was empty.
Get an uber on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll find the price pretty much the same as a black cab.
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@benp 30,000 Uber's in London, many driving around at 20mph waiting for fares. A right PITA causing traffic congestion.
a new form of ethics required
That's one way of putting it. The other is 'zero ethics required'.
Listened to a programme on R4 back in summer....
Über as a company paid a much tax in 2015 as 5 London Black Cab drivers.
I wouldn't use Über.
Yes another ranting post ... the Uber business model is to put existing cabs out of business then ratchet up fares before firing all drivers as cabs go driverless.
Have a google on ViceNews and other channels for video pieces on Uber
I have no problem with Uber if they are licenced as what they are which are taxis
Used in Birmingham several times. Very good I've found. I'd use them again.
Über as a company paid a much tax in 2015 as 5 London Black Cab drivers.
This demonstrates nothing at all.
Companies pay tax on profits.
Cabbies pay tax on wages.
They may be fiddling the system, but they may be investing profits in research and growth ???
You might get robbed and buggered.
Do you have to pay extra for that? Couldn't find that option in the app.
Installed the Dragon Taxis app (local firm). Booked a cab for tomorrow morning, credit card stored in app so no money needed. So far so good, except they wouldn't take my corporate Amex 👿
Did you check with the wages clerk and make sure all the drivers are earning at least minimum wage, and look over the company tax returns and books before you took the plunge ? 😉
P1ss poor drivers & questionable employment ethics - I'd avoid them.
They are cheap for a reason!
Can you book an uber in advance? I'd assumed it was just on demand, but I've not explored the app in detail.
Edit: it seems you can in some places.
Commuting every day into London has shown that Uber drivers on average are dangerous. I was knocked off by one in September and am still awaiting compensation. I do not use them
^^ geoff no. That in my opinion is why they should not be treated as mini cabs
Uber just lost a court case in California where they advertised a driver could earn $80,000 a year whilst in practice it was more like $20,000 after costs. This was working full time.
^^ geoff no. That in my opinion is why they should not be treated as mini cabs
You can book ahead in Leeds. Never tried anywhere else, but I presume this means you can.....
https://www.uber.com/info/scheduled-rides/uk/
Never had any problems with them, great service every time here, and cheap enough (but not that much cheaper than anyone else)
(I've never looked at their accounts though)
Why would Uber be different from any other taxi to get you to a train station ?
You can't prebook where I am, so unless you want to get there an hour early it's a bit of a stressful event - will there be one available? Will it really turn up in the time it says it'll take? Or will it get stuck in traffic?
The app is convenient, but local firms are cheaper in Newcastle now because Uber have got so popular.
Platform capitalism isn't a good thing imo
Well, if you look at some of the "big" private hire firms there is plenty of unethical stuff happening there too! My customer experience of Uber across the UK, EU and US has been very good. I've had detailed discussions with many of the drivers and they almost all speak positively about their experience of Uber, the quality of customer it brings, the flexibility etc. The only really negative feedback I remember was in Cardiff actually - where the driver was grumpy that I was making him go all the way to the airport (most taxi drivers like a £30+ fare) - but "I'll never get an Uber to come back from there".Are they unethical though? There was a lot of controversy, wasn't there?
Dragon was probably a good shout - I'm not sure if Uber support "prebooking" in Cardiff yet. Even if you do you might suddenly find surge pricing applied when you need it. I find that the local taxi apps are often fairly price competitive with Uber anyway.Specifically this is to take me to Cardiff Central for a train tomorrow, so I'll need to book a specific time and date.
Drivers on far below the minimum wage, undercutting existing established and licenced businesses in a race to the bottom of workplace terms and conditions. Sound familiar ?
Certainly does. Sounds like post Brexit Britain.
I won't use them. I think they're unethical even before their CEO came out as a fascist appeaser.
Never used Uber and never will.
Here's a fairly balanced take on recent events...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-38798158
Used them in the 'states quite a bit: a lot cheaper than a regular cab in Seattle, and more convenient. Car and driver quality varies - same as a regular cab. Last guy was a US Coast Guard serviceman, guy before that was Iraqi who had come to the 'states after the fourth attempt on his life (he helped the US and UK army in Basra) - his kids are now in school there.
I dislike the Uber in London because the black cabs and the service they provide is amazing; saying that, they're being priced out of the market by a man, a car and a smartphone with GPS. Gets what you pays for.
There is also a certain irony that Travis is one of Trump's advisors, which has not escaped him or the media: http://uk.businessinsider.com/uber-ceo-travis-kalanick-will-talk-to-trump-about-immigration-order-2017-1
Uber takes 25% of all fares...so I was told by my Uber driver..
I'd lump Airbnb in with them. Seems like a way to save a buck, but turns out pretty shit in real life.
I wouldn't use Uber and I wouldn't use a regular private hire or taxi. The standard of driving is generally crap from all and I refuse to finance that.
The driver was a nice bloke, but his driving was rather aggressive even if he wasn't.
I don't , the missus does.
I'm with foot flaps on this one.
I also believe the uber phenomenon is causing uneccessary congestion& pollution too. Stacks of cars ,parked&loitering about, waiting for fares& creating bottlenecks ,all over our "manor ".
The driver was a nice bloke, but his driving was rather aggressive even if he wasn't.
should have downloaded the capital app
You might have got me, and I drive like Miss Daisy. You can pre pay or use your card in car with the driver.
I'll try capital next time 🙂
Good man, we'll take your Amex card as well. ?
as opposed to a normal private hire firm who charge you a flat fee per week regardless of the amount of work you get/do. There is a break even point when one is a better model than the other, but there may be other trade offs too - e.g. how quickly you get paid (which for "account" work some cab firms can be very slow), how you get the "best jobs" etc.Daffy - Member
Uber takes 25% of all fares...so I was told by my Uber driver..
Despite taking 25% uber are making losses - which gives you some idea the costs of the background infrastructure and marketing necessary to create a business of that scale.
How do you overcome this? It can't be possible to completely avoid needing to make relatively short, one-way, journeys between locations, or at times that are poorly served by public transport.captainsasquatch - Member
I wouldn't use Uber and I wouldn't use a regular private hire or taxi. The standard of driving is generally crap from all and I refuse to finance that.
Interestingly I've complained once about an Uber driver (who used his phone whilst stationary at lights) and got a full refund very quickly.
Isn't it Mike Taxi you need for Cardiff airport, anyway? Or is it Dave Taxi?
How do you overcome this? It can't be possible to completely avoid needing to make relatively short, one-way, journeys between locations, or at times that are poorly served by public transport.
I drive, I live in the city centre and less than a 10 min walk from the station, no more than 15 mins from regular pubs/restaurants. I could get to the airport by train or mates (same as I do for them) and out of town piss ups will always have a sober driver. I'm struggling to think of a time when I'd use a taxi, full stop.
I'll take suggestions and see how it goes.
@captain. Lots of people never use taxis. But many don't have a choice. Today at least half of my fares have been for people who can't drive or use other public transport due to disability/mobility issues. To them taxis are a lifeline.
And we aren't all crap drivers, some are but then you always get people who are poor at their job in every walk of life.
@captain. Lots of people never use taxis. But many don't have a choice. Today at least half of my fares have been for people who can't drive or use other public transport due to disability/mobility issues. To them taxis are a lifeline.
Which is fine and we all know that, I said that "I" won't use taxis. They are without doubt the single contingent of drivers who try to have accident with me, jump red lights, abuse zebra crossings, speed, stop where the hell they want or basically think the roads are for them. Appalling drivers on the whole.
I dislike the Uber in London because the black cabs and the service they provide is amazing; saying that, they're being priced out of the market by a man, a car and a smartphone with GPS. Gets what you pays for.
Black cabs - meh. When I was living in North London they were rarely any good if you were going home at the end of a night out, they're really expensive and, frankly, I've had black cab drivers try to rip me off by taking "creative" routes when they thought we were foreign (flatmate was a kiwi) and/or drunk (maybe fair enough). I've also been told off by black cab drivers for wasting their time when I flag them down for a 1-2mile journey when either I'm carrying something or it's pissing it down. Don't get me wrong, I've met a lot of nice cabbies but there's nothing particularly worthy about a black cab that justifies twice the cost of a minicab or, indeed, an uber.
For long journeys, say central London to Heathrow, they're way too expensive:
Black cab -> 70+ quid
Minicab -> 30-40 quid
Uber -> 30-50
Benefits of both the black cab and uber is you can get one when you want (in theory).
I have avoided using uber for a long time in London, but a journey in a black cab late last year was the final straw.
An angrier, more aggressive, dangerous driver I have yet to meet. And the subject of his ire? Uber drivers.
Most recent uber experience: I arrived at Euston at 9am on the Monday morning of the recent tube strikes, and the black cab queue went from the basement up to the concourse. I opened the app, booked an uber and he picked me up within 10 minutes. Arrived safely at work, and for less than the price of the same journey in a black cab (which I've had before).
Random thought: do drivers not need business insurance?
Isn't it Mike Taxi you need for Cardiff airport, anyway?
Hah, I used to know Mike Taxi down that way. Wonder if we're on about the same one?
Another random thought: these angry black cab drivers, why don't they get their own app that does the same thing only for their firms?
Random thought: do drivers not need business insurance?
You need specific taxi insurance. Some accounts require public liability insurance as well.
Isn't it Mike Taxi you need for Cardiff airport
1,600 taxi drivers in Cardiff, many of them called Mike all of whom will take you to the airport.
Another random thought: these angry black cab drivers, why don't they get their own app that does the same thing only for their firms?
All Cardiff taxi firms now have their own App. But not specifically for angry drivers.
I've had two occasions to use taxi's this month / over xmas period.
First was an uber on recommendation from a friends - turned up within minutes, paid online so never had to use cash and felt reasonable cost.
Second was a black cab - took a long route home from town & had to be told not to take the piss, His card machine was non existent and he asked to round the £7.xx fair up to £20 to "save his change".
I don't use taxi's often but when I do, I know what I will be using. I acknowledge the race to the bottom comment but black cab firms have to up their game considerably on the customer service front if they want to survive.
"His card machine was non existent and he asked to round the £7.xx fair up to £20 to "save his change".
Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
Yet another reason not to use them then!
Where is does, start becoming unethical to me is that Taxis are taxed and the council also charge for their licence which goes into local public money, Uber does none of these things.
Going to have have to call that out.
Uber drivers still have to have a private hire licence from the local council. Driver earnings will still be subject to tax. Very similar conventional private hire in those respects.
[url= https://www.uber.com/en-GB/drive/requirements/ ]Uber requirements[/url]
Although not sure about Uber's own tax affairs....
I see Uber as private hire cars with a sorted app. The app appears to work seamlessly in other countries too. Recently used it in Australia to get to Melbourne airport. Have used them to get home from town in Edinburgh on a Saturday night, but if I needed to get to the train station or airport I wouldn't use them here (I had plenty of time to spare in Australia, hence the exception!)
Hah, I used to know Mike Taxi down that way. Wonder if we're on about the same one?
I only know about him cos someone mentioned him on here a couple of weeks ago - possibly you 😆
I wonder if there's an app to record G forces during driving? It would be interesting to correlate that with your taxi booking so you could give evidence of uncomfortable driving. I reckon bad driving means poor customer service for a taxi driver.
Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
Any black cab driver who kept a £20 for a fare under £10 may be legally in the right but I'd never use a black cab again. A service which takes cash needs to give change.
Most recent uber experience: I arrived at Euston at 9am on the Monday morning of the recent tube strikes, and the black cab queue went from the basement up to the concourse. I opened the app, booked an uber and he picked me up within 10 minutes. Arrived safely at work, and for less than the price of the same journey in a black cab (which I've had before).
Uber is utterly fantastic right now. However as soon as everyone realises then it won't work. Imagine in the situation above everyone ordered an Uber: chaos!!!
Its great for what it was conceived: short journeys, allowing drivers going that way to pick up people for the ride and get a contribution. Once people start thinking it is a "job" then it falls apart.
I find it especially useful in foreign city. Just fire the app, no describing where you want to be picked up form, no describing where you need to go, no negotiation or paying cash, and little chance of being ripped off as you can see the route uber has plotted. The cars are nicer too.
For pre booked airport runs look at BlackLane. I've used them all over the world.
Uber is great in Houston, way cheaper than the regular cabs and never had a bad car or driver.
The black cabs in London take the piss. Their card machines are never working, "sorry mate cash only". Not sure why they bothered fitting them.
Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
They're also legally obliged to take cards now (both chip and contactless) so my guess is anyone who says their card machine doesn't exist is fiddling their books.
Can you point to some evidence to back that up? It seems unreasonable to me that the passenger would be expected to have suitable notes and coins to make every possible combination up given that when embarking on the journey he has no knowledge of the final fare that will be due.Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
Now in other countries I sometimes see signs saying "only change of $10 carried" or similar. I've never noticed that in the UK. Is it all black cabs, london black cabs or all taxi services (including private hire) which have this option?
Word of warning. black cabs are not legally obliged to give change unless agreed before hand. Its up the the customer to tender the correct fare, he could have kept the £20.
Can you point to some evidence to back that up? It seems unreasonable to me that the passenger would be expected to have suitable notes and coins to make every possible combination up given that when embarking on the journey he has no knowledge of the final fare that will be due.
Black cabs, shops, petrol stations, car wash, window cleaner. No one is legally obliged to give change. It's purely goodwill.
Legal tender has a very narrow and technical meaning in the settlement of debts. It means that a debtor cannot successfully be sued for non-payment if he pays into court in legal tender. It does not mean that any ordinary transaction has to take place in legal tender or only within the amount denominated by the legislation. Both parties are free to agree to accept any form of payment whether legal tender or otherwise according to their wishes. In order to comply with the very strict rules governing an actual legal tender it is necessary, for example, actually to offer the exact amount due because no change can be demanded.