Uber: a cheaper taxi ride?

Please note this sub-forum does not provide professional finance advice. You should seek advice from a licensed financial advisor.

To post in this sub-forum you must have made 100 posts or have Trust status or have completed our ID Verification.

If investing please consider our affiliate link for new accounts: Sharesies.

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

kingdragonfly

11985 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12867

Subscriber

#154497 30-Oct-2014 08:26

I guess everyone saw the various news pieces New Zealand's expensive taxi rides.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/christchurch-airport-taxi-ride-world-s-dearest-survey-6023400

According to this, a 18 KM taxi ride from my home to Wellington airport is $65, and Uber is $25

http://www.taxiautofare.com/nz

Anyone tried Uber? (I have no assocation with Uber, or any taxi service)

https://www.uber.com/cities/wellington

1 | 2 | 3

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2526
Inactive user

#1164796 30-Oct-2014 08:32

See Biddles blog post

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1164798 30-Oct-2014 08:40

I've used Uber many times in the US and Auckland but I've never yet used it in Wellington (but did go to the official media launch a couple of weeks ago). I love it as a product, but many don't - in part due to the ideological concept of their business model.

I'd be really surprised if Uber was that much cheaper than a normal taxi in Wellington, where do you live? I know they have $25 capped rates from anywhere in the CBD to the Airport, but quite a few taxi companies have that now.

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1164807 30-Oct-2014 09:01

I just got a quote from my place to Wellington city. Regular taxis are around $40, Uber quotes $28. That's a small saving.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1164809 30-Oct-2014 09:04

timmmay: I just got a quote from my place to Wellington city. Regular taxis are around $40, Uber quotes $28. That's a small saving.

Their rates are cheaper but by how much depends on what taxi company you use. Rates in Wellington vary from about $2.60ish per km up to about $3.80ish per km depending on the company you use (with many of the smaller ones charging the most)

xpd

Geek of Coastguard
14115 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4574

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1164810 30-Oct-2014 09:05

Small ? Its over 25% assuming $40 was the regular rate.
I;d be happy with that...

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1164812 30-Oct-2014 09:06

sbiddle:
timmmay: I just got a quote from my place to Wellington city. Regular taxis are around $40, Uber quotes $28. That's a small saving.

Their rates are cheaper but by how much depends on what taxi company you use. Rates in Wellington vary from about $2.60ish per km up to about $3.80ish per km depending on the company you use (with many of the smaller ones charging the most)

I use Wellington Combined, unsure of how their rates compare (taxi companies don't seem to publish them online) but at least they're generally considered trustworthy.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1164813 30-Oct-2014 09:10

timmmay:
sbiddle:
timmmay: I just got a quote from my place to Wellington city. Regular taxis are around $40, Uber quotes $28. That's a small saving.

Their rates are cheaper but by how much depends on what taxi company you use. Rates in Wellington vary from about $2.60ish per km up to about $3.80ish per km depending on the company you use (with many of the smaller ones charging the most)

I use Wellington Combined, unsure of how their rates compare (taxi companies don't seem to publish them online) but at least they're generally considered trustworthy.

They're at the cheaper end of the market.

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#1164834 30-Oct-2014 09:48

Used them/the service the other day, was about half the price compared to what Auckland coop taxi's charge. Driver was a bit of a douche though, got all upset when another passenger asked him how he found driving under Uber.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1164839 30-Oct-2014 09:52

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...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#1164844 30-Oct-2014 09:59

Well that was exactly it, he was a taxi driver too, using what otherwise looked like another taxi and kitted out appropriately. We weren't obnoxious or drunk either so not sure who pissed in his cornflakes that day.

bigal_nz

635 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32
Inactive user

#1164901 30-Oct-2014 11:12

I have used Uber here and overseas.

On price alone it seems to be cheaper, on top of that its far more convenient.

When I used it in Sydney I was getting "private motor cars" - which were HEAPS better than Taxis. I got a late model Volvo and a 7 Series BMW.

Traditional taxis suck.

-Al

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

livisun

421 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Trusted

#1164925 30-Oct-2014 11:34

Enjoyed my uber ride the other day. Definitely cheaper!

ajobbins

5053 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1279

Trusted

#1164936 30-Oct-2014 11:45

I've used Uber a number of times in Auckland and Melbourne and I FAR prefer them to Taxis now, not only on price but on service, friendliness etc.

Their model isn't prefect, and in particular surge pricing can make them an order of magnitude more expensive than a taxi during busy times - but that's supply and demand really.

Twitter: ajobbins

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1164941 30-Oct-2014 11:53

The Auckland fixed fare to the Airport is $70 - but Surge Pricing at busy times can make it go up three times that. I was told it would be 2.5 time the normal price. After waiting five minutes it came back down to $70 and I booked my trip then.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1164962 30-Oct-2014 12:29

freitasm: The Auckland fixed fare to the Airport is $70 - but Surge Pricing at busy times can make it go up three times that. I was told it would be 2.5 time the normal price. After waiting five minutes it came back down to $70 and I booked my trip then.

$70 is incredibly expensive when Zoomy are now only $39 fixed price and you can hire a rental car for a day for $59 incl all charges and insurance!

1 | 2 | 3