Uber comes to Australia

[BAM1748]

The taxi situation is so poor in Sydney I feel like asking Uber can I drive people around giving free rides one night per week after work just to stick it to the late Reg Kermode and his sucessor. The taxi industry is no safer than riding in a private vehicle, the taxi industry keep saying that but never produce any facts.

Last months news No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

Interesting how the taxi industry is trying to stop Uber by not fixing it's own problems and privding service and quality but by dobbing.

Matt

 

[cambriamarsh]

Surge is 'meant' to bring more drivers out - but i suspect most drivers are pretty fixed on when they work

But then uber also discredits this process sending out emails to drivers telling them surge is expected over certain periods

They're expecting it to be busy and fees to be higher so trying to encourage more drivers on the road. That seems pretty rational to me.
Cheers

 

[dk4]

To buy taxi plates, for a car in Sydney, can cost upwards of $400,000 on the open market! (And that's just the plates, before annual rego and other ongoing charges.) So I seriously doubt that any uberX (the cheap end of the uber scale) driver is going to buy the correct registration to operate a "for-profit ride share" service in Sydney! (And FWIW, the NSW government gets 2.5% stamp duty on any ownership transfer of existing plates, so at that price it's still $10,000 into government coffers thank you very much.)

 

[clazman]

ABC news about 1:30 WST, mentioned that Uber is illegal in Australia and QLD is the only state who has been fining the drivers. Uber has been striking back banning the mobile numbers of the traffic inspectors

 

[yohy?!]

To buy taxi plates, for a car in Sydney, can cost upwards of $400,000 on the open market! (And that's just the plates, before annual rego and other ongoing charges.) So I seriously doubt that any uberX (the cheap end of the uber scale) driver is going to buy the correct registration to operate a "for-profit ride share" service in Sydney! (And FWIW, the NSW government gets 2.5% stamp duty on any ownership transfer of existing plates, so at that price it's still $10,000 into government coffers thank you very much.)

I've had uberx rides from both taxi and hire car drivers multiple times

 

[Cruiser Elite]

A genuine question for all the Uber lovers - what am I missing? If i go online to Uber web site and request quote from suburb I live in - Parkdale in MEL - to MEL airport - a route I have done 100 times to and fro in taxi - fare always $95 to $105 incl CC surcharge.

Here is Uber quote to MEL:



And then return quote from MEL -

 

[dk4]

I've had uberx rides from both taxi and hire car drivers multiple times

You are quite right, I should have used the adjective 'nonprofessional' driver. The problem is clearly not with professional, correctly registered drivers/vehicles, using uber as an alternate booking/payment system for their taxi service, at the correct rates (where) mandated by the government (for their particular registration).

 

[Cynicor]

Uber black or taxi is not always cheaper. In fact, it is frequently more expensive. But the service is key. The drivers turn up in clean vehicles, they don't drive like maniacs, they are polite and efficient and payment is simple without a 10% CC surcharge. Uber isn't changing the industry on price alone (though the appeal of Uber X is the price, too).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Uber black or taxi is not always cheaper. In fact, it is frequently more expensive. But the service is key. The drivers turn up in clean vehicles, they don't drive like maniacs, they are polite and efficient and payment is simple without a 10% CC surcharge. Uber isn't changing the industry on price alone (though the appeal of Uber X is the price, too).

Well I appreciate you responding Cynicor:
1. No taxi charges 10% surcharge in VIC now
2. Uber Black cars come from existing taxi / hire car stock - there are no such beasts as Uber only vehicles are there? So what guarantees cars are any cleaner than any standard booked taxi / hire car?
3. Uber Black drivers come from existing taxi / hire car driver stock - there are no such beasts as Uber only drivers are there? So what guarantees drivers are any more polite, efficient or better than any standard booked taxi / hire car driver?
Again serious questions - I just fail to see how nothing more than an alternative booking service can be viewed by so many as such a game changer.
I have a list of 5 different taxi operators who I call when I want to go out to airport - ALL are impeccable operators - could not bettered - I still don't get the Uber appeal.

 

[Cynicor]

Uber black is from limo/SCV stock. Drives too. Not from taxis unless über taxi.

Driver ratings remove the dodgy/bad taxis/vehicles/drivers.

If you have already got good taxis then is not as much advantage. And IIRC you sill have a 5% surcharge in Vic, so not quite he whole truth there?

I'm not an uber user BTW, just a keen observer. I'm too far behind the tech 8 ball to get an account.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Uber black is from limo/SCV stock. Drives too. Not from taxis unless über taxi

So Uber Black is Limo only? Uber Black does not use normal taxis at all?

And IIRC you sill have a 5% surcharge in Vic, so not quite he whole truth there?

No attempt not to be truthful - you posted that taxis surcharge 10% - I was simply pointing out that no taxi surcharges 10% now - in my previous post I quoted taxi fares to/from airport $95 to $105 incl CC surcharge.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The melbourne airport quotes are not correct. It seems to be lower in reality. Seems to be some discrepancy as to where its routing you.

 

[zainman]

Well I appreciate you responding Cynicor:
1. No taxi charges 10% surcharge in VIC now
2. Uber Black cars come from existing taxi / hire car stock - there are no such beasts as Uber only vehicles are there? So what guarantees cars are any cleaner than any standard booked taxi / hire car?
3. Uber Black drivers come from existing taxi / hire car driver stock - there are no such beasts as Uber only drivers are there? So what guarantees drivers are any more polite, efficient or better than any standard booked taxi / hire car driver?
Again serious questions - I just fail to see how nothing more than an alternative booking service can be viewed by so many as such a game changer.
I have a list of 5 different taxi operators who I call when I want to go out to airport - ALL are impeccable operators - could not bettered - I still don't get the Uber appeal.

Some of the reasons why people love uber and why it is what it is today:

No stupid surcharge. In fact, no need to take your wallet out of your pocket, don't even NEED a wallet! Just the app! get out of the car, ride is done!

See the driver come to your location, easy for each party to find them. I used to live not far from your suburb and also took the cab to/from the airport 100 times a year and 10-15% of the time, taxi was late or had trouble finding location etc, calling silvertop to see where they're at etc. It's cough.

No need to call anyone to book a "cab" and especially in the USA uberX is a lot cheaper than in Australia so it's cost effective. Book a car using the app, take the elevator and by the time you're in the lobby the vehicle is there. I don't want to ring the concierge or anyone, all at my fingertips.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The melbourne airport quotes are not correct. It seems to be lower in reality. Seems to be some discrepancy as to where its routing you.

So Google owns the Internet - Google owns Google Maps - Google owns Uber - yet they their online quote pricing system is totally inaccurate?

Yep I can see why you guys are falling over yourselves to throw money at Google - clearly they do need a few bob to get their house in order.

 

[benjy]

Reason I use Uberx:
- Before you book you get a fare estimate
- When you book you see the driver's photo, number plate, phone number, their rating and what car to expect
- You're using the driver's very own car. Every car I've been in (around 15 now) has been impeccable
- Choose to pay via paypal or debit/credit card, no surcharges and no cash changing hands - drivers feel safe and so do passengers
- At the end of your trip you rate your driver and provide feedback, you're doing a favour for future customers (I've given 5* to all drivers except 2, one got 4* and another got 3*)
- If you've had a bad ride or the driver has taken you the long way, you can request a partial/full refund and it's usually given
- Credits for referring new customers*
- Ongoing promotions
*Hint - Split your ride with a new user, they get $10 credit and so do you. p.s. My referral code is uberbenjya85 -
- Free water / mints

I've been in two Uber Blacks - great service, professional drivers. I use Uber Black for special events or whenever I feel like splurging.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Some of the reasons why people love uber and why it is what it is today:

No stupid surcharge. In fact, no need to take your wallet out of your pocket, don't even NEED a wallet! Just the app! get out of the car, ride is done!

See the driver come to your location, easy for each party to find them. I used to live not far from your suburb and also took the cab to/from the airport 100 times a year and 10-15% of the time, taxi was late or had trouble finding location etc, calling silvertop to see where they're at etc. It's cough.

No need to call anyone to book a "cab" and especially in the USA uberX is a lot cheaper than in Australia so it's cost effective. Book a car using the app, take the elevator and by the time you're in the lobby the vehicle is there. I don't want to ring the concierge or anyone, all at my fingertips.

I'll add:

No tipping in north america. The price you see is the price you pay - all inclusive.

Uber drivers cant refuse a fare. The number of times I've been rejected by a taxi for the fare being too short, or just last week in Hong Kong because "NO SPEAK ENGLISH"... despite talking in Cantonese to him.

Works the same in every city/country around the world and no need to carry cash - ever.

If the driver takes a long/wrong route - it's a simple 2 minute email to uber and the difference is refunded instantly and driver may be penalised if it was extreme. Ever tried to get a refund from a taxi? I have... takes months and ends up as a small claim.

80% of uberx/uber black cars I take have free bottles of water. Doesn't sound like much but is handy in hot climates.

Driver ratings - if the driver sucks they get low ratings and BAM - driver kicked off the network. Same with passengers.

Had my 50th uber ride last month

 

[clazman]

So Uber Black is Limo only? Uber Black does not use normal taxis at all?No attempt not to be truthful - you posted that taxis surcharge 10% - I was simply pointing out that no taxi surcharges 10% now - in my previous post I quoted taxi fares to/from airport $95 to $105 incl CC surcharge.

They still charge 10% in WA

 

[Cruiser Elite]

They still charge 10% in WA

Maybe so - but figures I was quoting was Parkdale (VIC) to MEL.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

So Google owns the Internet - Google owns Google Maps - Google owns Uber - yet they their online quote pricing system is totally inaccurate?

Yep I can see why you guys are falling over yourselves to throw money at Google - clearly they do need a few bob to get their house in order.

Have you bothered using it before you knock it?

 

[anat0l]

Have you bothered using it before you knock it?

What does that matter? Umpteen of the people who are knocking it haven't used it either. That likely includes all* of the taxi drivers, taxi commissioners and politicians against it all.

As far as they are concerned, the in-principle argument is stronger than the practical one, which is why the better looking house is easier to obtain by burning down someone else's than improving your own.

* Correct to 1% margin of error and excepting vigilantes, stooge pigeons and covert operators.