Uber comes to Australia

Status
Not open for further replies.
How old is your eldest daughter PF? How would you feel about her climbing into one of those Uber X vehicles?
 
clazman said:
Can we guarantee uber drivers have 100% insurances?
Click to expand...

Cruiser Elite said:
Or indeed the vehicles are even registered.
Click to expand...

Uber have said that they self-insure (for UberX) which would be equivalent to the insurance taxis have ... however this is essentially unregulated, and fairly "grey".

UberBlack drivers are registered hire care drivers under each state's hire care licensing schemes (e.g. VHA). They are fully insured to the same level as if you booked them through an agency or perhaps even an airline (EK, EY, QF, VA, etc).
 
The whole question of legality is interesting I think. Uber the app is merely an app linking drivers and riders together making shutting them down very difficult as they do not actually employ any drivers. Targeting the drivers is also problematic without resorting to entrapment to prove they are actually driving commercially as opposed to privately.

I think changes to regulation are inevitable, they are huge now with a 40billion usd valuation and heavy backing by Google.
 
Cruiser Elite said:
Or indeed the vehicles are even registered.
Click to expand...

I use them several times a week and have done for about six months. I spotted one with a rego sticker that had been removed with no replacement. Reported it to uber who advised they would take action. I hear they don't hesitate to kick out drivers who break the rules or cause complaints.

A lot of the time I get hire cars on uberx also which is a nice bonus.
 
Sponsored Post

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

Some advice from another thread...

OzEire said:
For the Mods, this thread is confusing because people are talking about UberTaxi (taxi booking service), UberBlack (Hire car bookings) and UberX (Ride Sharing) interchangeably as just Uber.

Could we have a separate thread for UberX since this seems to be the controversial part of Uber. I could start one but much of the prior conversation is here in this thead.
Click to expand...

When you talk about Uber, please state whether you're talking about UberX, UberTaxi or UberBlack as its getting confusing.
 
Brisbane only has uberx.

And there is also no need for rego stickers here anymore.
 
I bet if a government upped the penalties for UberX drivers to either mandatory impoundment of their vehicle and/or imprisonment, action on both sides would be much faster and forthcoming.
 
Cruiser Elite said:
Yep Uber Black is legal - Uber X isn't.
Click to expand...

I know that various state bodies take the view this is illegal (with no doubt some serious prodding from the taxi companies that pay them rent) but have any of these cases actually ended up in court and been ruled on?
 
N860CR said:
I don't think it's been tested properly. It is, however, clearly illegal.
Click to expand...

In some jurisdictions, in some countries.

N860CR said:
The major turning point will be when a major accident occurs.
Click to expand...

THIS is 100% the point. No one would want to be the first in any jurisdiction to 'test' the insurances, etc. The ruling on UberX will arise from the first big incident.

Your calculation should be how likely you think an UberX car, that you are in, will crash vs. how much better/cheaper it is than other options (inc. PH cars, UberBlack and taxis).

Compare this with the counterpoint that you might be unlucky enough to be hit by another car while your friend/mum/neighbor/guy from work you barely know, is driving you to the airport;, its not THAT different.
 
Struggling to Redeem Your Frequent Flyer Points?
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

I think in Australia we can safely say it's illegal.

I do feel very sorry for the first UberX driver to be in an accident. Uber has been unclear with all of them about legalities and insurances. The majority of them who I've travelled with lately seem to be recent arrivals to the country just trying to get a head start and I'd hate to see them ruin their lives for googles greediness.
 
Alleged rape by Uber drive in India.
Uber Faces Legal Action In India Following Arrest Of Rape Suspect | TechCrunch

UBER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE SUITABILITY, SAFETY OR ABILITY OF THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS. IT IS SOLELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE IF A THIRD PARTY PROVIDER WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS. UBER WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND A THIRD PARTY PROVIDER. BY USING THE SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU MAY BE EXPOSED TO SITUATIONS INVOLVING THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY UNSAFE, OFFENSIVE, HARMFUL TO MINORS, OR OTHERWISE OBJECTIONABLE, AND THAT USE OF THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS ARRANGED OR SCHEDULED USING THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND JUDGMENT. UBER SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO YOUR TRANSACTIONS OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS.
Click to expand...
 
N860CR said:
It's gone downhill a lot since it started. They seem to now be very dodgy older cars driven around by taxi driver dropouts. I've had one car recently that stank of fuel and the driver who clearly had no idea what he was doing. It seemed like a good idea to start with... But it's turned into a disappointment.
Click to expand...

I have noticed this as well for both UberX and Uber Black

Lots of "new" drivers, driving for Uber Black whom have little knowledge of the roads, no water, no mints and no customer service skills

Straight from a taxi to Uber....

As for UberX I have noticed lots of older Commodores getting driven around by Ex Taxi drivers as well
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and enjoy a better viewing experience, as well as full participation on our community forums.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to enjoy lots of other benefits and discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

Total: 328 (members: 10, guests: 318)
Back
Top