Taxis & Ridesharing - articles, discussion ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> 'Grieving' taxi drivers set to protest

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber legalised: Taxpayers pay $1.2 million a week in taxi compensation

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> LNP to rear-end Queensland taxi reforms

THE Opposition will move to reverse reforms to the state's taxi industry — introduced as part of the push to open the market to Uber — due to concerns the changes could put passengers' safety at risk.

Uber and other ride-sharing services have been legal in Queensland since September 5, and the State Government has changed regulations covering the taxis as a way to reduce red tape and to level the playing field.

But the changes include scrapping the age limit for vehicles, dropping requirements for decommissioned taxis to have signage and hail lights removed before sale, and eliminating fines for soiling a cab.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said changing those parts of the regulations was too risky.

"With its rushed and botched implementation, this Government has introduced regulations that compromise passenger safety," he said. ...

[verbatim9]

LNP on board with personalised transport reform https://t.co/ukHbI96LSa


Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

LNP on board with personalised transport reform

The Queensland Parliament this evening debated the Liberal National Party's (LNP) response to the Palaszczuk Government's personalised transport industry reforms.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the LNP parliamentary motion only sought to disallow minor parts of the Government's package to overhaul industry regulation, with the Government adopting four amendments.

"I'm pleased the LNP have showed their cards – their response effectively endorse all other elements of the changes to Queensland's personalised transport industry, including significant reforms to allow ride-booking," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"To deliver certainty for existing industry players, we released our reform package in early August.

"These changes levelled the playing field for industry players and outlined a clear set of rules for new entrants into the booked market.

"Today, we now know that these reforms have bipartisan support.

"This means than both major parties in Queensland now support a level playing field for ride booking services to operate right across the state."

Mr Hinchliffe said the Government takes its role as regulator of the passenger transport industry seriously and consulted with the taxi industry before voting on the LNP motion.

"We're committed to ensure the industry is sustainable and competitive into the future, which is why I consulted with the taxi industry on these minor change being sought by the LNP," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The Government's approach has been to reduce the level of regulation imposed on taxi licence holders in order for them to better compete and deliver lower fares for their customers."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Government votes for changes to new Uber legislation

THE State Government has voted to remove parts of its controversial Uber legislation only weeks after it passed through Parliament.

The legislation which removed the ability for transport providers to charge extra costs for damage caused by passengers has been changed, along with returning the initial laws that cabs have to remove certain identifying features once they are no longer in service.

As a result, taxis will be able to charge a "soiling fee" of up to $121 for any damages a customer may cause, as was the case before the Uber legislation was passed last month.

The changes came about after a disallowance motion tabled by Opposition Transport spokesman Andrew Powell.

Mr Powell said the opposition came about after significant consultation with stakeholders in the industry.

"Let me be clear, the LNP has always supported innovation and competition in the personalised transport industry," he said. "But we also want a fair playing field for the drivers and operators, with the priority always being passenger safety."

Transport Minister Sterling Hinchliffe said he had consulted with the Taxi Council since the disallowance motion was filed to consider its views.

"As a consequence of those discussions, the Government is supporting the majority of the provisions included in the Member for Glasshouse's motion," he said.

"This is a consultative government that has worked with industry to level the playing field and create an environment where drivers and consumers are protected."

The Opposition's motion also voted to reinstate the maximum age of six years for vehicles used for personal transport, however an amendment tabled by Mr Hinchliffe removed that clause from the motion.

[#Metro]

Oh dear, Annastacia Palaszczuk is actually getting things done (finally). This latest amendments by Blue Team are an example of "me too", I think.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber teams up with TripGo to link share ride with public transport

SOUTHEAST commuters will have an extra incentive to consider ride sharing instead of taking the car to work, with Uber teaming up with a new app that will allow them to synchronise their trip with public transport.

Data reveals one in 10 Uber trips in Brisbane are already starting or ending within 200 metres of a medium-frequency public transport hub, prompting Uber to today join with TripGo to help more Queenslanders use ridesharing to complement and extend the reach of public transport.

TripGo users in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast can request an Uber ride to their local train, bus or tram station, giving passengers a door-to-door service.

A spokesman for Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had started to review responses from companies responding to the expressions of interest for demand-driven shared-use passenger transport services, starting in Logan City.

"Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is the next development of the booked- transport market and involves using trip-booking technology, flexible routes and shared rides to meet customer needs," the spokesman said.

"Services are able to join up customer bookings, picking up and dropping off additional customers along the way. One form could be to connect passengers with or between public transport services, such as connecting with an arriving bus with other bus, train or ferry services."

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th September 2016

Uber introduces bus and rail network interchange

Greetings,

Uber has now introduced a feature for passengers to connect with public transport.

We welcome this development. There can absolutely be no doubt now that we need to
restructure the bus network, and in selected locations, introduce interchange at key
interchange points. Uber is responding to market demand for services that feed passengers
into major hubs.

The private sector is responding to what the passenger wants. Sadly, Brisbane's bus network
isn't giving passengers what they want. The thing is, we need more buses to go to train stations.
We call on Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government begin the bus reform process.
We have demonstrated how this can be done http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Running selected buses to train stations has worked in Perth, Melbourne (SmartBus) and
on the Gold Coast (Light Rail).

Parking is out of control in Brisbane. Park and ride is expensive and a limited resource. Time for a new paradigm all round.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Uber teams up with TripGo to link share ride with public transport
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/uber-teams-up-with-tripgo-to-link-share-ride-with-public-transport/news-story/6914d8e5ba5d50ddbf358fd0a29c73b8

RAIL Back On Track: Position Paper ­ Transit Oriented Development Zoning
http://backontrack.org/docs/tod/RBoT_TODSep16.pdf

[ozbob]

Latest media: Uber introduces bus and rail network interchange
> https://t.co/0fw9Xaiyz0#qldpol #bnepol@StirlHinchliffe @Schrinner pic.twitter.com/QHoFeF1A36

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) September 25, 2016

[ozbob]

.@Uber encouraging users to plan their entire trip using cars and public transport. @SimoLove #7News https://t.co/xyToKljfO8

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) September 26, 2016

[verbatim9]

Saw that, quite interesting. Be good when it's raining for people who may not want to cycle or walk those final 2-3 km.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> No more English tests for taxi drivers

TAXI drivers will no longer have to pass English tests or undergo geographical knowledge training after the Palaszczuk Government quietly removed requirements for them to do so.

The Courier-Mail can also reveal Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe is actively considering requiring drivers of both ride-share and taxi services to undergo mandatory sexual harassment training.

As part of the Government's overhaul of the sector in response to the rise of Uber, a new driver authorisation will come into effect for both cabs and ride-share.

That process has meant the removal of requirements around the "appearance of drivers, cleanliness and comfort of vehicles, minimum age limits for drivers, English proficiency and electronic payments".

Previously, drivers had to sit an English test through a registered training organisation if they planned to drive in a "major taxi area".

Under the old driver authorisation, local geography training was included in a scheme provided by the companies.

But as some requirements are scrapped, Mr Hinchliffe said mandatory sexual harassment training was being considered as a potential future requirement.

The Transport Minister, who stressed that "all of personalised transport need to be treated the same way", said: "We are actively considering it as part of the ongoing process of the implementation."

Transport consumer advocate Robert Dow said that it was "unacceptable" that the minimum English standard had been scrapped, saying both it and the geographic knowledge training were "essential".

He described the latest move as a "complete capitulation".

"We've all had experience where it's been difficult to communicate with a taxi driver," Mr Dow said.

"Certainly, there needs to be some basic navigation standard ... (and) there needs to be a basic requirement in English proficiency."

But a spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads yesterday said that the changes were about slashing red tape and that competition would ensure high standards.

"Previously, taxi services were provided in a closed market," the spokesman said.

"Standards now form part of operating any viable commercial business therefore government no longer sees its role as determining whether taxis are clean, drivers are dressed in uniforms or drivers can speak English proficiently as this will be scrutinised by customers themselves as they now have choice," the spokesman said.

[#Metro]

Isn't English a requirement of a work visa?

[ozbob]

Nope.  Drivers can produce an international licence, get a local licence no testing in effect.

It is just a race to the bottom sadly. 

Taxis are losing any semblance of distinction as a premium service.  Very sad days all round in transport - expediency rules.

[ozbob]

^^ Ten News followed up with an interview ...

================

Taxi Council Queensland criticised the state government for removing the need for drivers to pass English and geography tests. #7News pic.twitter.com/oOZX4DEMsX

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 11, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Taxi Council Queensland rejects government changes to English, geography requirements

Taxi Council Queensland has criticised the state government for removing the need for drivers to pass English and geography tests.

Chief executive Benjamin Wash says the changes are a poorly thought-out response to the introduction of ride-sharing services last month and the changes are not welcome.

The Taxi Council Queensland says the changes are a poorly thought-out response to the introduction of ride-sharing services.

"The taxi industry did not ask for and does not want lowering of standards," Mr Wash said.

[nathandavid88]

If the Taxi Council doesn't want a lowering of standards, and I'm sure taxi users would expect drivers to at least have a knowledge of the area and to understand English, I'm at a loss for why the Government intends to change these requirements.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Taxi Council Queensland rejects government changes to English, geography requirements

Taxi Council Queensland has blasted the state government for removing the need for drivers to pass English and geography tests.

Chief executive Benjamin Wash says the government should be looking to raise standards for taxi and ride-sharing services and not lowering them and their latest move is a "race to the bottom".

He said the changes are a poorly thought-out response to last month's legalisation of ride-sharing services.

"The taxi industry did not ask for and does not want lowering of standards," Mr Wash said.

"The government has a choice when they want to create a level playing field, they can bring people up to an existing standard or remove them all together and in this case it's a race to the bottom."

He said taxi companies may not agree with the the removal of drivers being proficient in English but they may be powerless to stop it.

Mr Wash said English tests were an additional cost for new drivers and if they did not have to pay for an English test then there was the likelihood they wouldn't.

He said it should apply to both taxis and ride-sharing services.

"The English test is something that the government and Taxi Council urged taxi companies to bring in, in early 2000s, and if you remove it then a new driver is going to take the lowest-cost option to them," he said.

Mr Walsh said he first knew of the latest changes through the media and the government was wrong to think competition alone, and cutting costs for taxi drivers, would improve the standard of service for passengers.

AAP

For what it is worth, I blasted the Government too when interviewed by 10 News, whether that makes the cut or not depends.
I gave reasons why.

Seems there is widespread condemnation of the Government over this.  It is dumb dumb and dumb (to quote Hadley on 4BC).

[SurfRail]

Devil's advocate - quite possibly it is justified on the basis the regulatory system clearly is not working and is fundamentally broken.  We had these standards already, so why is the industry failing to meet them?  The public's contempt for taxi drivers is pretty widespread.

Personally - I refuse to get into any Brisbane taxis as a consequence of driver shenanigans over the years.  Just will not do it anymore.

Interestingly I have never, ever had a problem with Gold Coast Cabs, no matter where the driver was from (with one notable exception about 12 years ago who was clearly drunk on the job and was most definitely a local).

[ozbob]

I have used taxis fairly regularly. Never had a problem really and drivers could all speak good converstational english.

Dumbing down is not going to be the best outcome for anyone in the end.

[tazzer9]

People are no longer using cabs due to many stating their lack of road knowledge and lack of english.
Better get rid of that requirement.

(they're both requirements that are clearly not enforced, may as well get rid of them)

[ozbob]

People are no longer using cabs due to many stating their lack of road knowledge and lack of english.
Better get rid of that requirement.

(they're both requirements that are clearly not enforced, may as well get rid of them)

Disagree.  They are tested. Removing will only make matters far far worse. People are still using taxis regularly.  See it every day.

Taxi companies though have said they will maintain the requirements.  They will need to stamp themselves as different.

[James]

I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, as it puts taxis at less of a disadvantage vs. ride sharing. I'm sure if the industry lets things slip even further, market share will shift and force them to pick up their standards.

[ozbob]

WATCH: New cabbies will soon be able to get behind the wheel without any knowledge of English of the location where they are working pic.twitter.com/6Fdxqgo40R

— TEN News Queensland (@tennewsqld) October 11, 2016

[ozbob]

Queensland taxi drivers will no longer have to pass English or local geography tests. @katrinablowers #7News https://t.co/HHBejsVALK

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 11, 2016

[ozbob]

Media release
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Personalised Transport Industry Reference Group to start

The second stage of the Personalised Transport reform is underway with invitations sent yesterday for membership of the Industry Reference Group.

Minister for Transport, Stirling Hinchliffe MP, said this is the next step in progressing the Government's levelling of the playing field for personalised transport.

"The Reference Group will be comprised of industry participants, consumer advocates, motorist groups, disability access groups, tourism advocates, social access groups and driver representatives," the Minister said.

"The group will be engaged directly to help shape the second stage of the Government's reform package.

"As announced in August, this second stage will include comprehensive changes to the primary legislation covering the industry, as well as the foreshadowed new licensing regime and chain of responsibility for personalised transport services.

"The group will help deliver the goals the Government has sought to establish a level playing field, a framework to survive future technological advances and to ensure the greatest amount of consumer choice."

The first meeting will be held next month and one of the topics of discussion will be the nature and requirements of the new Booked Hire/Taxi (BHTX) Driver Authorisation, which covers issues such as language and driver training.

"I will be continuing to have direct engagement with stakeholders on this issue and others, but this Group will be the key group for consultation on the finer aspects of the reforms."

"Since announcing the Government's new framework for personalised transport industry there have been 30 one on one industry meetings held with the Department."

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Uber drivers are not 'self-employed' and deserve minimum wage, UK tribunal rules

London: Uber should no longer treat its drivers as self-employed, a British tribunal has ruled, in a decision which threatens the ride sharing app's business model by forcing it to pay the minimum wage and offer holiday entitlement.

Two drivers brought their case to a British employment tribunal in July, arguing the rapidly expanding app, which allows users to book and pay for a taxi by smartphone, was acting unlawfully by not providing certain employment rights. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: The 'war' between Uber and the taxi industry is Palaszczuk Government's fault

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Report into assistance for taxi industry says $100 million fund should be higher

The $100 million assistance package for Queensland's taxi and limousine industry is not enough and cameras should be installed in ride-booking vehicles – such as Uber – a parliamentary committee has argued.

The Transport and Utilities Committee has made 30 recommendations on a bill which features a plan to pay financial assistance to the taxi and limousine industry under the $100 million Industry Adjustment Assistance Package.

The package includes payments of $20,000 per taxi licence, capped at two licences per holder. There is also a $26.7 million hardship fund, $3.7 million business advisory support and $5.6 million in incentive payments for wheelchair accessible services.

In August, the government announced it would legalise ride sharing services such as Uber across the state.

In its report on the bill, the committee recommended the government consider "all possible options" for increasing the $100 million allocated to the assistance package.

"(The committee) is recommending the government consider increasing the $100 million allocation to the assistance package through the urgent introduction of a relatively substantial annual licence fee (for booked hire services)," the report reads.

The committee also wants the minister to urgently consider "an outcome based regulatory requirement" that all taxis and ride-booking vehicles have cameras installed, ensure the footage cannot be tampered with and that it be available for a minimum of three months. It recommended Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe review the eligibility of people who own taxi and limo licences in trusts, non-commercial superannuation funds and small companies to make sure they are not excluded from help under the assistance package.

And the committee said Mr Hinchliffe should review the proposed cap of two taxi licences per holder for assistance payments.

"The committee was strongly of the view that, at a minimum, the cap should be removed to ensure a more equitable outcome for licence holders," the report reads.

It recommended an incentive to provide wheelchair accessible services be extended beyond year one and extra financial support be given to the services. It also calls for the minister to consider significantly increasing the penalties for breaking taxi rank and hail rules and that the new penalty be introduced urgently.

The committee unanimously agreed on the recommendations in the report and recommended the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 be passed.

In the report, chair Shane King said he wanted to commend the taxi and limousine industries for their stoic adherence to the laws and regulations.

"During what has been a very difficult time for them," Mr King wrote.

"As a committee we listened to many heartfelt admissions of the difficulty the industry has faced since the appearance of ride-sharing apps and their pride in their industry came through very clearly to all during this process."

[ozbob]

Uber off to flying start on Coast > https://t.co/CtjM0BJd9E #qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 3, 2016

[ozbob]

Uber is wildly unprofitable, suggest that prices will rise once they've succeeded at monopolizing the industry: https://t.co/m3HB3q5YZV pic.twitter.com/taXcHfD2g5

— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) December 1, 2016

[#Metro]

Company makes a profit - people complain

Company doesn't make a profit - people complain

As an economist, Justin Wolfers should know better. It is just him putting out clickbait.

You cannot chase revenue by just increasing prices above market. (Edit: We actually know this through a neat little experiment done right here in SEQ with ratcheting PT fares up 15% and 7.5% fare increases to claw back the subsidy. Utter failure.)

Try that, people will jump back in their own cars, take PT, cycle or go back to taxis. You also incentivise competitors to go into production when you put up prices (just like Oil Cartel OPEC has found out).

If Uber goes bankrupt - no problem. It will be replaced by another one.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Uber compo package gets the nod

Legislation that will help compensate taxi owners for the legalisation of ride-sharing companies like Uber has passed Queensland's hung parliament with an amended time frame.

The $100 million package, which will offer transitional assistance and hardship payments of $20,000 per taxi licence capped at two per owner, passed on Thursday evening after Liberal National Party (LNP) members expressed concern over the adequacy of payments ..

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Uber in Queensland: Taxi industry assistance package changes

THE taxi industry assistance package is set for a shake up, with the eligibility criteria for compensation payments to be expanded after amendments were passed in State Parliament overnight.

The assistance package was announced by the State Government to help the industry after ride-sharing services such as Uber were made legal in September.

It included up to $20,000 per taxi license — up to a maximum of two — and $10,000 for each limousine license.

But during a parliamentary speech Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced changes which include allowing compensation payments to trusts and companies which own taxi licenses and including operators in the scheme.

Operators could include people who lease a taxi off the license holder but not drivers, who would be classified as employees.

Mr Hinchliffe said the $100 million assistance package would not be increased but changes to eligibility criteria would help those affected by making ride-sharing legal.

"I can announce, based on the recommendations of the committee, all ownership structures will be eligible for transitional assistance payments, including individuals, trusts, companies and superannuation funds," he said.

"I want to acknowledge the committee for highlighting the complex nature of taxi ownership and operation structures.

"It is important that transitional payments reach those who most need it, including those who have taken steps to incorporate or purchase a taxi licence as an asset in their superannuation fund."

The move by the Queensland Government comes as an expert warns Uber is "staggeringly unprofitable" and relies on billions of dollars in subsidies to undercut taxi operators. And once the competition is wiped out, the transportation giant would need to "quadruple" fares to become profitable, News.com.au reports.

That's the warning from Hubert Horan, an expert with 40 years' experience in the management and regulation of transportation companies, who has dug into the sparsely available financial info of the most highly valued private company in the world.

"Unlike most start-ups, Uber did not enter the industry in pursuit of a significant market share, but was explicitly working to drive incumbents out of business and achieve global industry dominance," Mr Horan writes in Naked Capitalism.

"Uber's growth to date is entirely explained by its willingness to engage in predatory competition funded by Silicon Valley billionaires pursuing industry dominance."

With operating losses of $US2 billion ($2.7 billion) a year — more than any other start-up in history — Mr Horan argues there is "no evidence that Uber's rapid growth is driving the rapid margin improvements achieved by other prominent tech start-ups as they 'grew into profitability'."

In fact, the "absolute magnitude of losses has been increasing", he writes.

According to limited financial information provided to investors, for the year ending September 2015, Uber posted losses of $US2 billion ($2.7 billion) on revenue of $1.4 billion ($1.9 billion), a negative 143 per cent profit margin.

"Thus Uber's current operations depend on $US2 billion in subsidies, funded out of the $US13 billion ($17.5 billion) in cash its investors have provided," he writes.

"Uber passengers were paying only 41 per cent of the actual cost of their trips; Uber was using these massive subsidies to undercut the fares and provide more capacity than the competitors who had to cover 100 per cent of their costs out of passenger fares."

The Financial Times argues Uber's "entire business model [is] questionable".

"This is critical because it suggests we're dealing with a charity case in disguise," the paper notes.

"Silicon Valley elites justify the subsidies in the name of monopolistic growth expectations and the building of 'eco-systems'. They believe if monopoly status is achieved, profitability will follow naturally from that point.

"[But] there is no reason to assume Uber's obliteration of local competition across the planet will create a sustainable business in the long term.

"Costs are costs, even if you're a monopoly. As long as people have cheaper alternatives (public transport, legs), they will defect if the break-even price is higher than their inconvenience tolerance threshold." ...

[ozbob]

@Uber is unprofitable & unsustainable. If we let it undermine transit we'll end up with fewer options, not more. See "predatory pricing". https://t.co/ZfwiUE1Wud

— Jarrett Walker (@humantransit) December 6, 2016

[techblitz]

lol @metro your down 3-0...

I think now that your highly respected transit expert jarret walker has spoken on the issue.....kind of puts it to rest...
its good that this predatory pricing (something which I have along accused UBER of) is coming to light as there are now a lot of uber drivers working under its 'false' economic model who will be thrown to the rafters if uber ever decides to become profitable.

[#Metro]

Business

Investors expect their money back plus some.

Where this is not possible, the company goes bankrupt. History is littered with bankruptcies (i.e. Ansett).

I know there are lots of people who, for whatever reason, hate Uber and want it to die ASAP.

But they do not seem to understand how markets work. Where one fails, another takes over. (provided there is money in it)

Business is about profit and loss. And it is the loss part that is the most important - because that is what gets rid of bad operators,
poor managers, or services that are not wanted by people.

Just part of the discovery & evolution process really.

As long as it is private investors' money that has voluntarily been put up, I do not have an issue with it.


"Threat" to Public Transport

Public transport has been subsidised for a long time and there are services that have extremely poor cost recovery (i.e. 10% or below).

These services still exist. They have not been pulled because of their low-cost recovery. On the contrary, the network is full of these routes.

PT has always existed despite having to compete against other modes, like walking, cycling, cars, taxis, etc. PT is efficient in using space,

particularly in peak hour. So I don't think Uber is a threat to public transport at all, anymore than say, taxis are a threat to Queensland Rail or bus services.

It is not a threat IMHO.

If you want to know what the real threat to PT actually is, click this link. https://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/ministers.aspx
Killed patronage with progressively worse fare policies, currently wrecking Queensland Rail and messing up the bus network.
Huge damage to services with their terrible policies, politicking and incompetence, far beyond anything that Uber et al could ever do.

[ozbob]

Public transport generally returns $3 for every $1 invested in operating subsidies etc. in the big picture.

If it didn't it would not exist.

Uber is shaping up as a grab for cash, and not much else.  I doubt it will be sustainable in the present form.

Taxis are a much better guide as to the real costs of such transport.

[#Metro]

Public transport generally returns $3 for every $1 invested in operating subsidies etc. in the big picture.

If it didn't it would not exist.

Exactly. Uber is inefficient at doing mass transit. Authorities won't ever be let Uber on the busways etc as well.

I use Uber, perfectly legal to do so now. Always had good experiences so far.

Taxis, not always so. Main issue I found was drivers driving and talking on phone at the same time.

Obviously, if Uber were not available I would consider using something else like Lyft, Go Catch or a Taxi.

I am not against taxis, I have used them a lot in the past (pre-Uber). And if taxis had the best deal, I would use them again.

[techblitz]

The big gamechanger will be when these ridesharing apps go driverless....eliminating driver costs overnight. We will potentially see  ford,tesla and google and whoever else competing for market share......driving ridesharing prices to ridiculous lows....the lower ridesharing prices go the more attractive it becomes and less attractive to use bus/rail.