Uber (private taxi service)
- Thread starter Menace
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I used this pretty extensively when I went to Boston awhile back and highly recommend it. You can rate drivers right after your trip and the cars are in much better shape than any yellow cab you'll ride in. In my experience the drivers were really quick too.
I now recommend NOT using Uber, and using Lyft instead, where available.
Main reason: Uber has 5-10x as many users as Lyft, while many of the drivers drive for both services simultaneously. This leads to Uber having higher wait times, and higher prices because surge pricing happens much more frequently on Uber. Virtually every time I've checked, the Lyft wait is 1-2 minutes while Uber's is five.
Lyft is:
Cheaper (rarer surge pricing)
Faster to arrive
Less shady - there are many instances of Uber engaging in shady behavior, and I try to avoid rewarding companies who do that.
Main reason: Uber has 5-10x as many users as Lyft, while many of the drivers drive for both services simultaneously. This leads to Uber having higher wait times, and higher prices because surge pricing happens much more frequently on Uber. Virtually every time I've checked, the Lyft wait is 1-2 minutes while Uber's is five.
Lyft is:
Cheaper (rarer surge pricing)
Faster to arrive
Less shady - there are many instances of Uber engaging in shady behavior, and I try to avoid rewarding companies who do that.
Yep - Uber is great unless you're in a time and place where demand is high - then it 'surges' 2x the normal price. Happened to me in DC, near U Street a couple of weeks ago. There were plenty of cars in the area but the price jumps when demand gets that crazy (it was 11PM or so on a Thursday night, lines out the door at most bars, etc.)
Have not tried Lyft yet but that may be worth a shot.
Have not tried Lyft yet but that may be worth a shot.
Just a little experiment from the weekend. Was leaving Main Street Santa Monica area the other day at closing time. My fare home on rideshares is probably 11-12 bucks. We'll say $12 for the hell of it.
Uber: 4.5x Surge pricing. $54.
Lyft: 200% tip added. $36
Taxi: $20 + $5 tip. (took the taxi).
I could have waited a few minutes until the surge ended. Also, I noticed to try Uber again when I was about a mile or two away from the bar area out in the Marina...no surge pricing.
So Taxis are about twice the price, sometimes a little more than that actually when its in real time practice, however, when surge pricing hits, it really depends on what is the best option.
Uber: 4.5x Surge pricing. $54.
Lyft: 200% tip added. $36
Taxi: $20 + $5 tip. (took the taxi).
I could have waited a few minutes until the surge ended. Also, I noticed to try Uber again when I was about a mile or two away from the bar area out in the Marina...no surge pricing.
So Taxis are about twice the price, sometimes a little more than that actually when its in real time practice, however, when surge pricing hits, it really depends on what is the best option.
Meant to add, Saturday night, leaving a venue, my wing pulled up Uber and it had 3x surge pricing. I pull up Lyft, no surge pricing at all.
Lyft will probably never surge more than Uber. And if Lyft is surging 100%+, like Drazen suggested, a cab might be a better bet. If you're rolling somewhere close and you're with girls and want to make it quick, a cab is probably best if it's already sitting there.
Lyft and UberX are virtually the same in base price. Unless Lyft is not available locally, I see no reason to use Uber at all.
Lyft will probably never surge more than Uber. And if Lyft is surging 100%+, like Drazen suggested, a cab might be a better bet. If you're rolling somewhere close and you're with girls and want to make it quick, a cab is probably best if it's already sitting there.
Lyft and UberX are virtually the same in base price. Unless Lyft is not available locally, I see no reason to use Uber at all.
turkishcandy
Kingfisher
Am I missing something here? How is this any different than yellow taxi? In Poland I call the cab operator and she texts me the plate number of the taxi that will take me to the destination and she tells me the price. Around 10 minutes later, the taxi is here, and it is not yellow. It has a gps that is already marked to the destination that I told the cab operator. Same in Ukraine.
Except for being more practical with phone app and somewhat cooler cars, how is this a new idea?
Except for being more practical with phone app and somewhat cooler cars, how is this a new idea?
turkishcandy said:
Its about 1/2 the price of a taxi.
You don't have to call a cab operator.
Your phone tracks exactly where your driver is, no waiting around haphazardly when or even IF the cab driver will show.
Drivers are usually friendlier, they offer a bottled water or gum/mints and drive a lot safer than your average Taxi driver. Cars are cleaner, no vinyl seats.
I love Uber. Ifor you aren't a fan of uber yet, you simply need to try this one next time:
"Park your car at my building and we will take an Uber car to the restaurant." This puts you back at your place after dinner and drinks by default. (Don't eat heavy foods, but that is another topic).
I then use this logic for ordering drinks: 1) if she lives closer by, then I order less booze at dinner and invite her up for a night cap, 2) if she lives further out (say 20+ minute drive) then I will order the second bottle of wine for sure and then suggest she come up to "sober up" before driving so far.
With #1: if they live close and are hammered they may decide to just go home, much better for them to be thirsty if they live close.
With #2: they very rarely will want to just sit there sober, and once inside your place their hamster will rationalize that since they are so far away...might as well drink and fuck because they are staying the night.
Did I mention I love Uber?
"Park your car at my building and we will take an Uber car to the restaurant." This puts you back at your place after dinner and drinks by default. (Don't eat heavy foods, but that is another topic).
I then use this logic for ordering drinks: 1) if she lives closer by, then I order less booze at dinner and invite her up for a night cap, 2) if she lives further out (say 20+ minute drive) then I will order the second bottle of wine for sure and then suggest she come up to "sober up" before driving so far.
With #1: if they live close and are hammered they may decide to just go home, much better for them to be thirsty if they live close.
With #2: they very rarely will want to just sit there sober, and once inside your place their hamster will rationalize that since they are so far away...might as well drink and fuck because they are staying the night.
Did I mention I love Uber?
"Park your car at my building and we will take an Uber car to the restaurant." This puts you back at your place after dinner and drinks by default. (Don't eat heavy foods, but that is another topic). "
You can do this just walking to a bar near your house. No car/Uber/taxi/Lyft/coolie needed.
I do have her drive then Uber, if I have to go to a special bar, further afield.
And Lyft > Uber for reasons mentioned earlier.
You can do this just walking to a bar near your house. No car/Uber/taxi/Lyft/coolie needed.
I do have her drive then Uber, if I have to go to a special bar, further afield.
And Lyft > Uber for reasons mentioned earlier.
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