When Uber first gained traction I started seeing posts on Facebook from friends in early Uber-cities like SF and NYC. Invariably the post would hail Uber as a "god-send", "the future", "best consumer experience of my life". I had no idea what all the fuss could be about. Riding in a stranger's car didn't seem like it could be that great, but I was curious and wanted to try it.
I think I had my first Uber ride in SF in 2013. I remember that it was a game changer. I have almost never taken a traditional cab since - with a few exceptions that I will detail below.
What made it so good?
It addressed all the pain points of a traditional cab. We'd all been suffering them forever, we just didn't know it, or there was no alternative so we didn't care.
1) Hailing/Calling a cab - perhaps the most obvious.
Uber - the uber app allows you to call a cab, set a pick up point, get an eta of driver arrival, and allows you to track it in real time.
Taxi Cabs- stand on the side of the road and wave your hand as cabs drive by you. some cabs are full. some are empty. some have fare lights lit. some not. no rhyme or reason. eventually one stops... if you're a white male like me. or you can call a cab. they might show up. they might pick up someone else. you have no idea if they are coming or not. call dispatch to see if they are still coming. probably not. you start walking
2) Price transparency -
Uber - you are quoted a price before you even call the car. it's usually very accurate. you can decide if it's worth the price or not.
Cab - get in the cab. watch the meter run. wow it's climbing fast. omg how much is this gonna be. it's $26 and I can still see my house. Let me out!!!!
3) Paying -
Uber - paid through the app. no cash exchanged.
Cab - pay when you get to your destination. credit card machine is down. the cabbie will bring you to the nearest ATM. You hope not to get robbed
4) Driver
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