Discussion about ride sharing service (Uber, GrabTaxi, Lyft, etc)

[Ichan]

They get a lot of money from investors, just read a super rich Arab prince put his money on Lyft.

What do you think about this online taxi service? How they are in your place?

I am going to share a project idea which already fill dozen of my bowls in here, but asking for enough feedback first...

-ichan

[zac]

Lyft and Uber operate in my area.  I've never used them, but friends have been happy with the service.  Pickups are on time and the cars are usually nicer than the typical beat up old taxi.  But, it sounds to be like working in a sweatshop for the drivers. 

[Signal]

I never used such a service because I rarely take taxi. But recently I talked with taxi-driver that uses "taxify" service. He is happy with it. I see two major factors. He is a private entrepreneur and taxify is an automatic controller in contrast to human taxi controller hosted by taxi companies. And while he drives Opel Vivaro he likes the opportunity for customers to see vehicle type before order - he believes the size has some attraction especially for groups, so he consider it as advantage.

Another consideration. My colleague said that it is nice to see where is the vehicle before the order. It is not rare case when you order taxi by phone and wait for it for an unpredictable time even operator said that it will be in 5 min.

[sphinx]

here in sweden i read on the news that uber used ugly prices during new years night without even telling that they would be that high. like a normal tripp would cost 500 sek the cost was 4000 sek so not that sure i would used their service withgout asking for price.

[Ichan]

Thanks to all comments.

In my place they are actually illegal by law, but still in operation until now - i heard that the rule might be replaced with a new one which will accomodate them.

Here they are liked by many cab user mainly because of the short waiting time.

How they affect the existence of the conventional taxi cab service in your place? Here they mean a hard punch.

Rather unfair business fight i think, those new online taxi service (they call it ride sharing service) do not invest on car, do not do car maintenance, etc, etc...

So, the conventional taxi company will need some help to survive or even win against their new rival...

-ichan

[solutions]

LOL - the conventional taxis won't have a problem in your region of the world

Unless the rideshare drivers make payments to the taxi mafia, they WILL have a problem, legal by law or not

[Ichan]

Well buddy, below is the stock price chart of the conventional taxi company i talk about, i believe you are knowledgeable enough to interpret it.

-ichan

[solutions]

Don't know if a 75% drop on such low volume means much of anything. Maybe the price of your cab occupancy sensor is what drove them down so low? 

Someone's stepped in and is buying up all they can from the looks of it. It also looks like there's a high frequency trader that's playing it.

I had assumed you had the same setup as Thailand: http://www.ladyironchef.com/2014/09/phuket-taxi-mafia/ (for reference, about 35 Thai Bhat to the $US)

Apparently not, and I stand corrected