Uber Christchurch Launch

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Yabanize

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Topic # 193615 17-Mar-2016 10:48

Uber is launching in Christchurch today at midday, with 5 free rides over the first 2 weeks for passengers.

Christchurch, your uber is arriving now

Uber Christchurch

Stuff.co.nz: Uber takes to christchurch streets

One interesting aspect is they are not doing the same requirements as there are in other cities

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Reply # 1514931 17-Mar-2016 11:00

Finally!

You can sign up to Uber here for a free $10 credit

Also a very interesting article on the utilisation rates of Uber cars, which explains their cost advantage

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-15/uber-could-give-us-a-lesson-in-productivity

gzt

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Reply # 1514969 17-Mar-2016 12:22

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It looks like Uber will be allowing drivers to start driving in Christchurch without the passenger endorsement on their licence. That is a bit radical (as in not legal) and somewhat like starting a new bus company that requires drivers to have only the HT.

I really doubt the government has approved or will approve this move.

If Uber is hoping to force the issue I think they are mistaken.

Yabanize

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Reply # 1515906 18-Mar-2016 22:55

Have used it 3 times now.

The first time in a Nissan Lafesta, the driver missed the exit on the round about but I was talking at the time and it was free so I didn't mind and he was still getting used to it

Second time was a Toyota Estima

Third time was a 2014 Ford Ranger

Geektastic

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Reply # 1516008 19-Mar-2016 10:48

I don't care for Uber. Too much potential for shonky drivers, shonky cars and mad axemen.

Batwing

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Reply # 1516012 19-Mar-2016 10:57

My wife and I use both uber and taxis in Wellington. The taxi drivers are invariably creepier (suggestive comments to my wife) and at times aggressive if we don't have exact change.

I'd trust the uber review system over the taxi driver licensing system to weed out the weirdos.

gzt

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Reply # 1516039 19-Mar-2016 11:41

Batwing: I'd trust the uber review system over the taxi driver licensing system to weed out the weirdos.

And so you should. These are two different things. The equivalent in the taxi world is calling the company to complain. It would be irresponsible not to do this.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1516209 19-Mar-2016 22:12

Not that it matters - there are no taxis out here anyway!

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1516938 21-Mar-2016 14:13

I've never had an issue with Wellington taxis, but I almost exclusively use Welly Combined and I rarely receive suggestive comments anywhere.

I would use uber if the same security systems (camera etc) as taxis were in place and I could charge to company easily.

Hearing that uber plan to operate without passenger endorsements is a deal breaker for me. That endorsement system weeds out some criminals and dangerous drivers.

Batwing: My wife and I use both uber and taxis in Wellington. The taxi drivers are invariably creepier (suggestive comments to my wife) and at times aggressive if we don't have exact change.

Mike

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Reply # 1516940 21-Mar-2016 14:18

I used an Uber in Wellington on Friday night. Arrived within a minute (Willis St), Newish Camry, very polite, $40 to Seaview. I was very happy.

Have used in Auckland a few times, and similar experiences.

I would want my Uber driver to have their P endorsement, and their car to have a COF. Can't see it working properly otherwise.

Easy to charge to work credit card (I like the apps feature to use the camera to capture CC number - hadn't seen that before - my personal uber account uses Paypal).

sbiddle

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Reply # 1516946 21-Mar-2016 14:22

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MikeAqua:

Hearing that uber plan to operate without passenger endorsements is a deal breaker for me. That endorsement system weeds out some criminals and dangerous drivers.

A P endorsement does nothing that Uber isn't planning on doing to weed out dangerous criminals and drivers. Uber are performing a police and NZTA check as part of their sign up processes - this is all a P endorsement does to certify that somebody is fit and proper to hold the said endorsement.

The main part of a P passenger endorsement licence (and the most expensive part) is undertaking a P endorsement course which goes into the requirements of carrying passengers for payment.

There are many, many aspects of the Uber business model that we could argue all day about. They push the boundaries and in some cases they push them too far and they are far from being a perfect corporate citizen. The security model is one that you can't fault Uber for - the measures they have in place along in their model IMHO make catching an Uber a vastly safer experience than catching a regular taxi.

gzt

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Reply # 1517838 22-Mar-2016 17:46

I obtained a 'p' endorsement a couple of years ago. The main course components I recollect were:

- how to correctly fill a logbook
- fatigue symptoms and causes
- vehicle compliance
- road rules refresh

Cost was approx $500 for the two day training. Then another $300 or so for the NZ Transport Agency approval, eye test, medical, and licence upgrade.

There might be a case for allowing companies to do their own training to the same or higher standard I'm not sure. It is an NZQA standard as well so maybe the content requirement would have to be very specific.

If Uber Christchurch is skipping the 'p' endorsement does this mean they are skipping the eyesight and medical also? I kind of doubt they would be that silly but there is not a lot of public information at present.

I will guess that many drivers will not want the risk of demerits and a fine and will get the correct endorsement anyway.

gzt

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Reply # 1517935 22-Mar-2016 20:01

^forgot to add to the above there is standard practical driving test required before NZTA approve the passenger endorsement. It is the same practical driving license test that all the kids complain over.

Yabanize

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Reply # 1517981 22-Mar-2016 21:41

MikeAqua:

I've never had an issue with Wellington taxis, but I almost exclusively use Welly Combined and I rarely receive suggestive comments anywhere.

I would use uber if the same security systems (camera etc) as taxis were in place and I could charge to company easily.

Hearing that uber plan to operate without passenger endorsements is a deal breaker for me. That endorsement system weeds out some criminals and dangerous drivers.

Batwing: My wife and I use both uber and taxis in Wellington. The taxi drivers are invariably creepier (suggestive comments to my wife) and at times aggressive if we don't have exact change.

Yep, No cameras with Uber, but they have other forms of security, like everything being logged, you know who your driver is, their rating, their car and rego before they arrive, You can send a text to a friend or family which lets them know how far away you are (they can see your location on a map). They have to be on their best behavior in fear of getting a bad rating, if their rating gets below something like 4.5, uber gets involved. There is also no cash, you are automatically charged at the end, no arguing about it. If you have a problem with your fare you contact Uber

Uber does have a business profile feature, which you can switch between that and your personal one. Each business trip gets emailed to a work email address, and you can get a report of only business trips. They also have another option where a business can register on Uber, and have the rides charged back to a business account. Note that not all drivers are GST registered (It is only required if they earn over 60k)

sleemanj

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Reply # 1518569 23-Mar-2016 18:12

gzt: I obtained a 'p' endorsement a couple of years ago.

... medical ...

This is an important factor that should not be overlooked.

A P endorsement requires a medical certificate, and there are conditions for which a medical would be refused for a P endorsement but not for a private Class 1 driver's licence.

Type 1 Diabetes for example, no problem for private drivers licence, but for a P endorsement the NZTA's official statement is

> Medical standards for individuals applying for or renewing a class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence and/or a P, V, I or O endorsement

> People with type 1 diabetes are generally not considered fit to drive

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

gzt

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Reply # 1518629 23-Mar-2016 19:40

I would be really surprised if they were skipping all the current national requirements in Christchurch. I think that is unlikely. I will guess they are skipping:

- the NZQA required passenger training component
- the associated NZQA exam fee.
- maybe $450 worth in total saving for those two.

And I will guess they are still doing/requiring:

- police check
- medical certificate

The practical license retest requirement? I'm not going to guess. It would be silly to skip it for carrying passengers so hopefully not.

Since they do not require the P it also skips the NZ Transport Authority licence endorsement fee of between $64 (1yr) up to $250 (5yr).

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