Uber prices 20% lower & Less driver requirements

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Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#195487 21-Apr-2016 14:52

Uber today announced fares in Auckland and Wellington have dropped by 20%.

Uber says lower fares mean passengers will use it more, creating more demand, less time in between fares meaning more money for drivers.

They have also made changes to what drivers need to driver for Uber, they previously needed a Passenger Service License and COF.
They now only need

To have had their full license for 2 years
To pass a NZTA Driver History Check
A Ministry of Justice Criminal Background Check
A vehicle with 4 doors in good condition less than 10 years old

Meaning the cost for a driver to get on board is now only $20

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17111 posts

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#1537524 21-Apr-2016 15:00

That is some pretty good innovation. The info says they got the driver history check and the justice check down to 6 days. It is usually around eight weeks.

I did not see any info on the page about eliminating PSL/TSL requirement and eliminating COF requirement tho. Are you sure you are correct on those?

wellygary

8315 posts

Uber Geek

#1537540 21-Apr-2016 15:24

Until you see a govt press release that states that private hires no longer need a P endorsment, you are potentially heading for a pile of hurt if you get pulled over while operating without one....

Wheelbarrow01

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#1537550 21-Apr-2016 15:40

wellygary:

Until you see a govt press release that states that private hires no longer need a P endorsment, you are potentially heading for a pile of hurt if you get pulled over while operating without one....

Unless you're wearing an Uber uniform (something that does not exist anyway as far as I know), no law enforcement officer is going to know if you're operating a private hire service or not. the person riding with you could be a mate of yours for all they know....

Beccara

1469 posts

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#1537551 21-Apr-2016 15:42

And if you're pulled over as a passenger would you lie? If your a driver would you bet on your pax lying?

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

wellygary

8315 posts

Uber Geek

#1537565 21-Apr-2016 15:52

Wheelbarrow01:

no law enforcement officer is going to know if you're operating a private hire service or not.

A fair chunk of the Uber's in Wellington are off duty Taxis, they are fairly obvious when they operate as an Uber (the biggest give away is the taximeter on the dash,

PSVs must also have a sticker by the rear doors handles indicating that the rear child locks have not been deactived.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/is-your-taxi-compliant/docs/is-your-taxi-compliant.pdf

sbiddle

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#1537575 21-Apr-2016 15:56

wellygary:

Wheelbarrow01:

no law enforcement officer is going to know if you're operating a private hire service or not.

A fair chunk of the Uber's in Wellington are off duty Taxis, they are fairly obvious when they operate as an Uber (the biggest give away is the taximeter on the dash,

PSVs must also have a sticker by the rear doors handles indicating that the rear child locks have not been deactived.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/is-your-taxi-compliant/docs/is-your-taxi-compliant.pdf

I've never seen a single off duty taxi driving as an Uber in Wellington - there are however a *huge* number of former taxi's, including most of the Green cab fleet who all defected.

The issues in Auckland where Uber drivers were pulled over and charges were laid were because they were taxi's driving as Uber, and if you have a meter in your car it must be used for a journey (whether you charge this is another story).

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#1537621 21-Apr-2016 16:48

They were mostly pretty useless anyway. If they have all gone to uber it doesn't bode well.

sbiddle:

including most of the Green cab fleet who all defected.

Mike

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

sbiddle

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#1537625 21-Apr-2016 16:58

The reality is IMHO taxi prices in NZ are ridiculously high - but many drivers aren't actually creaming it because there are so many taxi's they're not actually getting continuous jobs.

I caught a taxi from home (Hutt) into the ferry terminal a few weeks ago because it was the only early morning option and it cost $87. Yes I can afford that but to me it's a crazy price for a 20 minute, 20km drive.

gzt

17111 posts

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#1537709 21-Apr-2016 19:29

sbiddle:
The reality is IMHO taxi prices in NZ are ridiculously high - but many drivers aren't actually creaming it because there are so many taxi's they're not actually getting continuous jobs.

I caught a taxi from home (Hutt) into the ferry terminal a few weeks ago because it was the only early morning option and it cost $87. Yes I can afford that but to me it's a crazy price for a 20 minute, 20km drive.

That seems high for an urban area. Auckland for example $2.20 per km for many companies, premium like Corporate Cabs $3 per km. So Auckland around half your price for the same journey. They all charge slightly more out of business hours maybe around +20%.

Edit: Maybe there is an Airport entry charge.

sbiddle

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#1537728 21-Apr-2016 20:09

gzt:
sbiddle:

The reality is IMHO taxi prices in NZ are ridiculously high - but many drivers aren't actually creaming it because there are so many taxi's they're not actually getting continuous jobs.

I caught a taxi from home (Hutt) into the ferry terminal a few weeks ago because it was the only early morning option and it cost $87. Yes I can afford that but to me it's a crazy price for a 20 minute, 20km drive.

That seems high for an urban area. Auckland for example $2.20 per km for many companies, premium like Corporate Cabs $3 per km. So Auckland around half your price for the same journey. They all charge slightly more out of business hours maybe around +20%.

Edit: Maybe there is an Airport entry charge.

Taxi rates in Wellington are around $2.85 - $2.95km for the bigger companies up to around $3.85ish or so per km for some of the smaller ones.

The last cab I caught a Co-op taxi in Auckland I thought it was around $2.90 km, I assume it's one of the cut price companies that's only $2.20?

gzt

17111 posts

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#1537792 21-Apr-2016 22:21

That is about the lowest. There are several at that price I believe. Next group up is around $2.70.

gzt

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#1537806 21-Apr-2016 23:28

New press release from the Minister of Transport tonight:

New rules but the 'P' Passenger Endorsement is still required for compliance.

Some other requirements will be dropped. Area knowledge, taxi rate card signage. Same rules will apply for all passenger service vehicles.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/transport-rules-modernised-new-technologies

old3eyes

9119 posts

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#1538073 22-Apr-2016 13:05

gzt: New press release from the Minister of Transport tonight:

New rules but the 'P' Passenger Endorsement is still required for compliance.

Some other requirements will be dropped. Area knowledge, taxi rate card signage. Same rules will apply for all passenger service vehicles.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/transport-rules-modernised-new-technologies

Sounds like the Gov has given in to big Taxi Companies. I expect Uber be curtailed considerably.

Regards,

Old3eyes

sbiddle

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#1538078 22-Apr-2016 13:16

old3eyes:

gzt: New press release from the Minister of Transport tonight:

New rules but the 'P' Passenger Endorsement is still required for compliance.

Some other requirements will be dropped. Area knowledge, taxi rate card signage. Same rules will apply for all passenger service vehicles.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/transport-rules-modernised-new-technologies

Sounds like the Gov has given in to big Taxi Companies. I expect Uber be curtailed considerably.

it's the exact opposite.

The govt have essentially bowed to Uber, but in the meantime removed many of the restrictions that taxi companies wanted to make a very even playing field between the two. As a result the taxi federation don't have a lot to complain about, hence their silence (which in part is also because Roger Heale of the taxi federation quit yesterday)

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1538107 22-Apr-2016 13:45

What I don't get (and I have asked Uber about this) is the requirement for a car 10 years old or less. Anybody know the reasons for this?

Also, its 10 years rolling, so next year cars that were made in 2006 will no longer be able to drive for Uber (This was confirmed to me by Uber in an email).

My car is a 2003 and has great safety, reliability, comfort (full leather) etc. but they won't let me drive because its too "old".

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