Uber: a cheaper taxi ride?

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › Uber: a cheaper taxi ride?

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#1164996 30-Oct-2014 13:30

freitasm: Interesting, as all Uber rides I had so far were very friendly.

Most seem to be taxi drivers using their cars when they are free. I did catch a private Mercedes in Wellington though - the driver was very good and he even uses Geekzone...

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#1165000 30-Oct-2014 13:41

There are a couple of really nice Mercedes and BMWs in the current Auckland uber drivers.

Much cheaper than co-op and as a general rule of thumb are quite nice.

Malingo

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#1165318 30-Oct-2014 21:16

I use Uber weekly in the Auckland CBD. Quick to get around and cheap for short trips under 10km.
I have had a 5 series BMW once, but have also had a few bad ones like an old station wagon with a bad smell inside.

Luck of the draw but definitely cheaper those auckland blue bubble taxis.

freitasm

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#1165323 30-Oct-2014 21:39

Just got a ride home now (Courtenay Pl - Johnsonville)... Usually cab would be $40 - $45, Uber wound up being $28. Pretty good, I think.

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#1165326 30-Oct-2014 21:43

who services uber? random people with nothing better to do? or taxi drivers who happen to have a spare car wherever they go?

sorry not quite grasping the logistics

freitasm

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#1165360 30-Oct-2014 22:01

Both types.

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#1165373 30-Oct-2014 22:33

I've used Uber several times in Montreal and been very happy. Service was great and they arrived at the door within minutes. When I get back I'll be exclusively using them. Taxi drivers there don't go through police checks. Uber drivers have to. That alone is enough to make me stay with them.

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#1165374 30-Oct-2014 22:34

Uber drivers here get police checks?

Yabanize

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#1165381 30-Oct-2014 22:50

Do Taxi companies care that drivers are using their branded cabs for uber?

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#1165418 31-Oct-2014 01:01

Yabanize: Do Taxi companies care that drivers are using their branded cabs for uber?

They take the signs off then doing uber. Only thing that gave it away in a couple I have been in was their rooftop sign in the boot.

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#1165422 31-Oct-2014 06:19

joker97: Uber drivers here get police checks?

You require a passenger service licence if you carry any passengers for payment using any form of transport. A Police check is part of that process.

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#1165687 31-Oct-2014 11:33

richms:
Yabanize: Do Taxi companies care that drivers are using their branded cabs for uber?

They take the signs off then doing uber. Only thing that gave it away in a couple I have been in was their rooftop sign in the boot.

Sometimes. I took at least one in Auckland recently where the driver didn't bother to take his taxi company branding off.

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#1165815 31-Oct-2014 12:42

Thanks for all the replies.

There are probably good and bad Uber drivers, just like good and bad taxi drivers.

In Wellington, I had a niece's thigh grabbed by one local taxi driver. I also reported to the police a taxi driver who was selling drugs out of his trunk.

It would also be a nice change to get a taxi driver who spoke English as a first language, and knew a few landmarks.

Still they're better than the ones in Melbourne...

Elpie

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#1165837 31-Oct-2014 13:01

joker97: Uber drivers here get police checks?

In Quebec, taxi drivers don't have police checks at all. Uber drivers do. They also have their driving record checked (the entire record) so, for a woman travelling alone, there is greater safety in using Uber. The instant feedback adds to this. Greater safety + instant accountability + cheaper prices make Uber a no-brainer for me.

This aspect of Uber's service is worth keeping in mind when travelling overseas. Not all countries have taxi regulation the way NZ does.

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#1165850 31-Oct-2014 13:18

Uber also has people rating the driver, and the driver rating the passenger. You also have a record of who you were with, something you don't in a taxi unless you remember the details or take a photo of their ID.

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