A decade of Uber?

[Skynet5]

Don't have Ubers round my way. Small town, not unexpected. No taxis either really ha.

Used them in Vegas a few weeks ago. Loved it.

 

[Tbid]

I like the fact that uber gives a price upfront & has an easy to use app. Some local minicab companies have similar apps now and I'll try them first before deferring to uber. They do have questionable buisness practices, however taxi drivers aren't exactly the bastion of honest people.

 

[KiwiTaff]

I was in Romania for work with a colleague 10 years or so ago. I remember the dodgy taxi drivers and their offers, but particularly one driver who, after my very drunk colleague professed his love for his car (Lada?), let him have a go and drive his taxi back to our hotel

Doesn't suprise me haha!

We were lucky enough to have our hotel in a nice part of town. So the taxi drivers always used to add the fact that we had brit accents in addition to wanting to be dropped off at the business hub of the city as a dead cert for us being loaded with money.

By the end of my time with work, I must have had at least a dozen hand written notes with taxi drivers mobile numbers. Each of them having said "if you need anything in this city, i'm your guy!"

 

[bingham67]

Used tons never had a bad experience in this country had a driver recently drive the long way in London which was annoying as trying to catch a train back.

Uber in Romania was fun think I nearly died twice.

Ive used it in many countries on the whole its pretty good experience, I like when a Tesla pulls up although think ive had more them with Bolt.

 

[Resident]

It can be fine as long as one doesn't accidentally select the robbery/rape options in the app.

TBF these options in a black cab too

Love them or hate them, their business model and mobile app forced the taxi industry to finally get into the 21st century.

I remember in the early 00s having to phone around several taxi companies trying to get a booking and drivers just not turning up after waiting an age. Yes Uber has its problems, but being able to order a taxi via an app and track them in real time is / was ground breaking.

This is one of the main benefits.

Personally I've used them a handful of times. Recently the local firms have taken to charging 1.5x fare after 6 and weekends which Uber haven't so it's the better option financially. I'm not sure how the firms are getting away with the extra charging.

 

[SideWinder]

I used to book Ubers where you shared with randoms - much cheaper plus a few interesting chats in the early hours.

 

[Em3bbs]

Use Uber all the time, just so much better than minicabs were:

- Set price
- Card payment
- Amazing availability where I live
- No more 'Yeah he's just around the corner mate' for 30 minutes while waiting for a cab that was clearly not just around the corner
- You can see where the driver is if in a pub
- Much better cars than dodgy minicab firms used to have (I got a brand new Tesla last night take me home from my parents for example)
- Perfect for expenses if you use taxis on work trips
- No more being ripped off in other countries by iffy local cabbies

 

[Ice Tea]

- You can see where the driver is if in a pub

You or the uber driver.

 

[d_brennen]

Rarely use Uber but it's a lifesaver the odd time you need to get somewhere and driving is off the table. I know their business practices aren't great, but most of their drivers also work for equally appalling local firms.

 

[GhostWKD]

Whenever I’m travelling tend to use Uber. Used it more abroad than in the U.K. - my only complaint is when you use them abroad they obviously update your geo data, I still get offers in Brazilian reals now.

Driving standards generally good except in Rio where I was in a 1 car car chase I think by how he was driving and speeding, the other Uber I got in rio was falling asleep while driving. Only two times I’ve ever had any issues.

 

[Scougar]

I used to drive for Uber on the side for a few years to supplement my main employment. Largely OK. I picked up mainly drunk students. The stories I could tell. (No, no sex, I'm married).

All I can say is protect yourself legally, and insurance wise. You lose a lot of money on depreciation of your vehicle that potentially makes it not worse it in the long run.

I have used an uber to ride, twice. Both were fine.