RIDEGURU
To consumers, there isn't a huge difference. Both gets them from point a to point b. One just happens to provide the convenience of a nice app, and maybe the price is cheaper?
Why wouldn't just taxi drivers just switch over to Uber where the consumers are headed? Why would it make a difference? Workers always have the flexibility of choice.
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Many drivers have, because you are mostly right. However, you are forgetting that not everyone has a choice. There are requirements to being a Uber driver that not everyone has...which is to own your own personal vehicle.
There is also an illusion that drivers make more money off of Uber (and other rideshares) but that isn't always the case. It entirely depends on how much work you get and you have to consider for all of your own expenses...like your car!
With Uber, how much work you get is dependent on where you work and when you work. If you work for established taxi companies with a foothold in the market, you can expect a steady stream of dispatch...at least with some stability.
So to summarize:
- no, not every driver has a choice
- the pay may not be better on Uber
well, that is the issue though. Taxis are facing a disruption and there is no "stability" that you speak of anymore.
Well, in some markets, they have. Especially in the smaller markets, taxi companies went belly up, and they've all been replaced by Uber drivers.
What happens is that the "dispatchers", which are sometimes independent from taxi companies are the ones that are struggling. This is because Uber's innovative app replaces the dispatchers' job function and not drivers.
So the dispatchers went belly up and drivers are now taking calls from Uber.
...because the business model of Uber is broken.
Uber prices the rates to whatever they wish. They claim they set the rates to what's competitive in the market, which only sounds good on paper. A normal business would consider for "expenses", but Uber ignores it while setting the rates.
Uber drivers incur the cost, such as gasoline, maintenance and upkeep, etc. Uber seem to not take those things into account as expenses.
The medallion problem needs to be resolved and I am only speaking for NYC . At its highest point of one million it was. over inflated and done so illegally but certain people took a blind eye. Without covid the medallion should be no more then 375000 . A driver pre covid would have grossed a average of 75000 per year and would be able to pay off the medallion in ten years interest included. At that point he or she could keep driving or lease it to a broker in which a monthly check similar to a pension would be paid . Now ride share aka black taxi comes along and floods the streets with no cap amount and kills a medallion owned by the City of NY and again a blind eye has caused two black eyes.
At this point, I think it's a lost cause. Complete incompetence in the leadership and their indecision has led to the medallions being worthless.
Why would anyone invest that kind of money to start a business if they can do it by downloading the Uber app for free.
I keep reading about taxi companies complaining for like 8 years now. Nothing has improved, Uber is everywhere, and the companies are stuck with those useless medals on their trunks.
I agree with the your sentiment but just to be a devil's advocate to your question, "why would anyone?"
If you have a medallion, you do get certain rights. This can be access to business loans, government assistance, tax benefits, etc.
Also, you do have additional benefits and access to segments you may not otherwise. For example, in Manhattan, unless you have a medallion you are not allowed to pick up people hailing for rides.
On word. PRIDE.
Yes, it's all semantics.
I would rather collect bottles and cans then to be a volunteer commie in a Communist app . Disgraceful people taking advantage of other human beings.
What’s a Communist App? Am I on one?And where do I go to start collecting bottles and cans? Maybe collecting cans is more lucrative than Uber!😊Have A Great Day!
Taxi industry is very lax compared to rideshares. Many drivers are undocumented immigrants. Others might not pass a background check for one reason or another. Many taxi companies don't care... Uber does.
Oh, no he didn't. he went there. so much ignorance in such a small paragraph