Uber prices 20% lower & Less driver requirements

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17149 posts

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#1538125 22-Apr-2016 13:55

timbosan:
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".

Essentially they have to make a simple rule and it is part of the business model. The alternative requires some fairly educated inspections and checklists.

gzt

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#1538129 22-Apr-2016 14:03

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.

The 'P' endorsement requirements will be lowered, and the cost will drop. So essentially it is coming a lot closer to the new Uber requirements. There is nothing there I can see that will curtail Uber and similar companies.

jonb

1771 posts

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#1538135 22-Apr-2016 14:12

Now only $64.50 for one year P endorsement

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/42

gzt

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#1538140 22-Apr-2016 14:19

Here's a problem. I do not understand why the government decided to entirely remove the requirement for the rate cards on the side of taxis. The only reason I knew the Auckland taxi rates I quoted above to sbiddle is because I saw them printed on the side of vehicles as I walked through central Auckland and airport visits.

On the positive side it opens the way for taxi services to provide variable rate charging like Uber and enables new technology and business models in the industry.

But the reality is that many rides will continue to be off the rank at a fixed per km rate and a rate card is entirely appropriate for that.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#1538211 22-Apr-2016 16:06

gzt: Here's a problem. I do not understand why the government decided to entirely remove the requirement for the rate cards on the side of taxis. The only reason I knew the Auckland taxi rates I quoted above to sbiddle is because I saw them printed on the side of vehicles as I walked through central Auckland and airport visits.

They didn't remove the requirement from taxis as such - because they're now grouped all passenger transport providers into one it would be unworkable to have the requirement for pricing on the side. How would Uber for example be able to put the pricing on the side of a vehicle? Likewise the requirement for a panic button was removed because it would have meant all private hire vehicles would have required one, but this does not mean every taxi won't have one because many see the point of them as they can carry significant amounts of cash and history would tell us can be a target.

I don't know how many people ever look at the price on a taxi before they hop in, but I'd pick that you won't see taxis removing it because it can be a marketing tool for them when people see the pricing and can compare it.

sbiddle

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#1538215 22-Apr-2016 16:09

gzt:

On the positive side it opens the way for taxi services to provide variable rate charging like Uber

The taxi federation continually targeting Uber over dynamic pricing has always intrigued me. There are plenty of taxi companies out there with essentially peak/off peak pricing and you can't tell me that there would be a single taxi driver in the country who wouldn't love to be able to increase pricing on NYE for example where it's incredibly busy!

cr250bromo

222 posts

Master Geek

#1538217 22-Apr-2016 16:17

I use uber a lot in Auckland. Some very rough anecdotal estimates from observing the vehicles and talking to drivers - approx 50% are current taxi drivers also doing uber jobs, 25% are ex-taxi drivers who have left their company and gone to uber full time, while the remaining 25% are people new to uber/passenger services.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

blakamin

4431 posts

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#1538253 22-Apr-2016 17:12

timbosan:

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".

Uber in Adelaide were going to waive that for me.. Probably because it's still a 740iL BMW and no matter how old, it's more comfortable than a 10 year old prius.

I never took them up on it though.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1538357 22-Apr-2016 19:56

blakamin:

timbosan:

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".

Uber in Adelaide were going to waive that for me.. Probably because it's still a 740iL BMW and no matter how old, it's more comfortable than a 10 year old prius.

I never took them up on it though.

Isn't anything more comfortable that a 10 year old Prius ;-)

But seriously, I would rather ride in my car (Golf R32) or your BMW, than a Prius.

UHD

655 posts

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#1538374 22-Apr-2016 20:18

Is the NZTA check basically a demerits check?

gzt

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Uber Geek

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#1540664 23-Apr-2016 15:02

timbosan:
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".

CSR? Maybe try a tweet and/or call. Either way they will have more competition under the new regulations when legislation is eventually settled and there are likely to be more options.

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1540696 23-Apr-2016 15:47

UHD:
Is the NZTA check basically a demerits check?

That's included, but it is a full review of the persons "fitness and propriety' including traffic and criminal history checks and police vetting.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

UHD

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Ultimate Geek
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#1541409 25-Apr-2016 02:17

scuwp:
UHD:

Is the NZTA check basically a demerits check?

That's included, but it is a full review of the persons "fitness and propriety' including traffic and criminal history checks and police vetting.

I think the NZTA check is specifically for demerits and maybe drink driving stuff but the criminal history is a separate check.

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1541437 25-Apr-2016 08:00

UHD:
scuwp:
UHD:

Is the NZTA check basically a demerits check?

That's included, but it is a full review of the persons "fitness and propriety' including traffic and criminal history checks and police vetting.

I think the NZTA check is specifically for demerits and maybe drink driving stuff but the criminal history is a separate check.

No it's part of it. They like to make sure you ain't a pedo, mass murderer, rapist, fraudster etc before they let you loose on the public. Of course lack of past conduct does not necessarily predict the future

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

sbiddle

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#1541469 25-Apr-2016 09:14

Their FB page has turned into a bit of a train wreck from a couple of clearly disgruntled NZ drivers

https://www.facebook.com/ubernewzealand/

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