What's this uber thing?

[sierraman]

As above what's this über thing all the cabbies are angry about?

[cort16]

It's Normal folk using their own cars as private hire taxis. It's all controlled and paid for through a smart phone app. It works well in big city's we used it when in San Francisco earlier in the year as you can locate say a 7 sweater near by and they'll come and pick you up .

[bub2006]

Surely that won't end well

[Fabergé Greggs]

I use it in London and it's great. I've only ever had private hire taxis pick me up as well- never just a guy in his own chod. You use an app to request a pickup and you can see your car coming to get you. You get an accurate cost estimate before your car comes too.

 

It's safe cos it's tracked at all times and they email you a summary of your route and bill you automatically- so no chance of getting ripped off by taking a scenic route.

 

The black cabs are pissed off cos it's waaaay cheaper. It's cheaper cos they don't need to pay all the licensing etc associated with black cabs and so the cabbies are saying that it exploits a legal loophole. I'd be pissed of if I was a cabby but then archaic industries get shaken up all the time... It's inevitable.

 

I guess the major concern is less stringent safety tests or something.. Do black cabs have to pass something tougher than an MOT? Do Private hire cabs?

[cort16]

It was a guy in a brand new Chevy suburban who got us us he didn't look to be a private hire of any kind. It does seem to be very slick and both parties have to be registered to use it do there's traceability on both sides .

 

They've kind of taken a see you in court approach to the regulations all over the world in the hope the authorities will back down or the service gets so embedded there'll be an outcry from the public if it's stopped.

 

It's like airbnb I only figured out the other day it's people renting rooms out in their houses as hotel rooms like erm bnb's . I is well thick

[Fabergé Greggs]

Air Bnb is also brill. Nothing but good experiences using it. That relies a bit on the eBay style of feedback, as does Uber to an extent. If your driver is dodge then you can give him a one star rating which is handy for others but not much use to you if you're dead cos he bought some unknown second hand brake pads for his steed.

[sierraman]

So there would be nothing to stop me going out there buying some death trap at auction, putting some tyres on I found in a skip then start cabbing in it with no private hire plate or knowledge?

[Jim Bell]

I see you've used licenced taxis in Newcastle.

[HH-R]

So there would be nothing to stop me going out there buying some death trap at auction, putting some tyres on I found in a skip then start cabbing in it with no private hire plate or knowledge?

Don't forget the erratic driving...

[Albert Ross]

You could play a game with the passengers. Called "Guess who I had in the back last week?"

[HillmanImp]

I didn't realise that it was normal people that could be picking you up. I thought it was just another taxi company. Good way to earn a few quid when you are a little broke maybe?

 

Although with 20mpg in the Jag, maybe not. Might ask Mrs Imp if she will lend me her Megane.

[Pillock]

It is a good way to earn a few quid, but I also suppose it's the same risks.... Passenger stabs you and steals your car, passenger vomits in the door pockets, wear and tear on car is greater than income. The only positive for the driver over a traditional taxi is that in order to collect their cash, the customer pays Uber via the app so there no cash to rob.

[HillmanImp]

It is a good way to earn a few quid, but I also suppose it's the same risks.... Passenger stabs you and steals your car, passenger vomits in the door pockets, wear and tear on car is greater than income. The only positive for the driver over a traditional taxi is that in order to collect their cash, the customer pays Uber via the app so there no cash to rob.

 

S'pose you will need to make sure you have the correct insurance too. No doubt we will see the insurer implement a hike in premiums for people not doing this correctly and having crashes etc, or am I being paranoid and reading too much Daily Mail?

[cort16]

Between this and airbnb you need never have a proper job again

[Jerzy Woking]

You could play a game with the passengers. Called "Guess who I had in the back last week?"

 Annoy Black cab drivers with "Guess who I had in the front of my cab last week?..............Fred Housego".

 

One problem with using Uber is that the cars cannot use the bus lanes like traditional Black Cabs, which in the west end of London can add minutes (and therefore ££'s) to their bill. Black Cabs can be cheaper. It doesn't seem to stop some of their drivers though. Despite the likes of Uber and Addison Lee being private hire, I regularly see private hire cars stopping when someone flags them down. Highly illegal, and no doubt cash paid so it doesn't go through the books for Tax etc.

 

And can you imagine London without Black Cabs? Tourists love them-cant see any tourist looking for photo opportunities with a Ford Galaxy.

[cort16]

When I was in America earlier in the year all the crown vic taxis had turn into priuses and mondeos

[Pillock]

Between this and airbnb you need never have a proper job again

Buy a motorhome and do Uberbnb.

[Bucketeer]

'Our unqualified dive instructor will take you to explore the marvels of the underwater world, whilst dressed as a character from Allo Allo'.

Welcome to Colonel Gruber's Uber Scuba.

[Ghosty]

A lot of the Ubers in Manchester seem to be defecting minicabbers in Octavias and such - I only know because somehow the city council somehow  make their cars wear the same set of obnoxious yellow private hire stickers as any other taxi company, sometimes the name stickers are on top of other companies' stickers. Somewhat defeats the point of it as it looks exactly the same as any other Manchester minicab.

I've also seen other minicab company names stuck over 'Uber' labels so maybe the other companies were offering them better employment deals to counter Uber?

 

This image should clarify for non-Mancs - I think it's a bit overkill that you have to have front and rear taxi plates, company name on the front wings, window stickers, a massive yellow square and council crest on the bonnet, and (I think) company name on rear window too.
An Uber in London is typically a black E-Class and that's it.

 

[Lord Sterling]

An Uber in London is typically a black E-Class and that's it.

Ah! Now I understand why people in London try to flag me down.

[Junkman]

It is a good way to earn a few quid, but I also suppose it's the same risks.... Passenger stabs you and steals your car, passenger vomits in the door pockets, wear and tear on car is greater than income.

 

You're watching way too much telly.

[Semi-C]

Have you been searching for casual, brass instrument training?

Prefer your tutors to be Teutonic ex-pro sportswomen?

 

You need Anke Huber's Ãœber Tuba.

 

(my plagiaristic apologies Bucketeer)