The Uberburger

Wat are they gonna do about the sexual assault problem http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/28/uber-s-biggest-problem-isn-t-surge-pricing-what-if-it-s-sexual-harassment-by-drivers.html See cabbies who mortgage million dollar medallions aren't going to take such risks... Uber drivers on the other hand have nothing to lose

I was an early user of the Uber service here in metro DC, where, as other commenters have noted, the cabs are just short of abysmal and the DC Taxi Commission is well-known for its corruption. Recently, I saw a newspaper article talking about the merit of Uber from the standpoint of the drivers. Apparently, they make much more money because they're not cruising around looking for a fare, or waiting in holding areas to join a taxi queue at an airport. The point being that the dispatch system is more efficient than either radio dispatch or hailing a cab on the street. I am not impressed with the supposed merits of licensed cabs. Recently, I was downtown New York and needed a cab to Foley Square (where the federal courthouses are). I flagged a cab off the street who didn't know know to get there and then attempted to use GPS. (GPS does not work well in the canyons of Manhattan, unless you are going walking speed. Finally, the cab reached a location I recognized as being close to Floey Square, so I had him let me out and I walked the rest of the way. I had an argument in court in downtown Phoenix in August. After it was over, I hailed a cab. Lots of them were sitting around with the windows open, I supposed to avoid overheating their engines trying to idle and run the a/c in 115 degree heat. It turned out that the cab I got had a busted a/c, so I had a very hot ride (in a dark suit) to the airport. I could have shot the driver, since I had no other effective recourse. On more than one occasion, I have had a cab called to pick me up in DC well in advance of the appointed time . . . and then the cab never showed. Frantic calls to the dispatcher were no help, as I was in danger of missing my flight out of town. Most people in my neighborhood who need a first thing in the morning ride to an airport, call a limo service. They never call a cab. The same article that touted the greater earning potential of Uber drivers also claimed that cabbies make about $30,000 a year (vs. a claimed $80,000 for Uber drivers). That's pathetic, but you get the service you pay for. I suspect that the cab driver has to share his revenue with so much other overhead -- the dispatcher, the guy who owns the cabs, etc. and, in New York, the note used to pay for the medallion. So, if Uber really delivers better service and makes more money for its drivers, then it's a win-win as far as I am concerned. Oh, and we want to talk about cabs not redlining? I work with an accountant/money manager for a lot of entertainers in New York who is African-American. The other day, while we were waiting for a cab to get somewhere, he volunteered that he often has a hard time getting cabs to pick him up -- even though he is dressed in a suit. The reason: they're afraid he's going to make them take him somewhere they don't want to go.

Fascinating article and comments . I've taken some really interesting Cab rides in Third World Shitholes . -Nate

As I was driving 'round Los Angeles to - day I noticed so many new Prius' are Taxis , more and more ex Panther cop cars turned cabs are back in private hands , mostly in The Barrio . Do other cites use Prius for Taxis ? . I rode in one a couple times @ work and found the back seat only passable , I have a 34" inseam . -Nate