Uber Review

[boomy]

I think uber is a 80$ flat rate cbd - airport

So basically they don't offer a better deal then Hire Cars as they both have luxury cars and professional drivers but Hire Cars seems to be slightly cheaper.
What is all the fuss around Uber then?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

So basically they don't offer a better deal then Hire Cars as they both have luxury cars and professional drivers but Hire Cars seems to be slightly cheaper.
What is all the fuss around Uber then?

Its very easy to use and the payment and receipt system are superior.

 

[boomy]

Its very easy to use and the payment and receipt system are superior.

I guess if you need a taxi and didn't pre-booked it then Uber is a good alternative but otherwise I don't see a reason to pay more just to avoid the 1 minute it takes to swipe the CC at the end of the trip.

 

[anat0l]

So basically they don't offer a better deal then Hire Cars as they both have luxury cars and professional drivers but Hire Cars seems to be slightly cheaper.
What is all the fuss around Uber then?

I didn't know about a service (Hire Cars) that offered a 'luxury' transfer between Tullamarine and the city for less than $80 (other companies were more expensive). I think most of us are in the same boat (hence why one of the most popular questions on this forum is a recommendation for a hire car / luxury transfer service in a target city).

I guess Uber was thrust into the mainstream mainly brought on by social media, quick spread through AFF, new member discounts and the attention via UberX. So whether it is a "fuss" or not is a different thing, but as far as "taxi" like services besides the regular taxis, I don't (didn't) really know much better.

 

[boomy]

I didn't know about a service (Hire Cars) that offered a 'luxury' transfer between Tullamarine and the city for less than $80 (other companies were more expensive). I think most of us are in the same boat (hence why one of the most popular questions on this forum is a recommendation for a hire car / luxury transfer service in a target city).

I think most Hire Cars charge similar fees. I pay $75 in MEL and $65 in SYD from airport to city including tolls.

I guess Uber was thrust into the mainstream mainly brought on by social media, quick spread through AFF, new member discounts and the attention via UberX. So whether it is a "fuss" or not is a different thing, but as far as "taxi" like services besides the regular taxis, I don't (didn't) really know much better.

I don't mind the concept of Uber, as I understand it it's a good alternative to taxi for short rides but I'm still not convinced it's better then HC for longer rides.

 

[amaroo]

SA Gov joins the rear guard action Uber drivers will be fined: SA govt

RIDE-SHARING company Uber is operating illegally in South Australia and its drivers should expect to be fined, the state treasurer says.

THE California-based company held its official Adelaide launch on Friday, with Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo sharing its first service.

 

[BoyZeus]

I used the service last night to get to Rod Laver arena. I'll never take a cab again - loved the luxury of the VHA car and the drivers professionalism.

 

[penegal]

I wonder what are the benefits of Uber over a Hire Car service. I pay $75 from MEL airport to city and vv. Is Uber cheaper?

The flat rate for Uber is $80. UberX would probably undercut this number going to the airport, but you can't request one from the airport itself.

Most hire care operators will negotiate below this - I usually get around the $70 mark depending on time of day, and notice given, etc.


FWIW. I don't usually use Uber to and from the airport - I use a hire car service mostly (the same driver in fact).

 

[penegal]

Uber is an "ON-DEMAND" service, which is the real beauty of it. You walk out of a building and it's there... When I contact any of my usual hire car drivers, they are rarely "around the corner". They are often on other jobs, or across town, in which case my fare is less attractive and I have to wait for them to drive all the way across town before I start my journey.


If you are planning a specific series of events in advance that have a firm time (e.g. meeting finishes at X, or an airport run), it is usually best to book a hire car directly in advance.

But Uber is great when you don't have firm requirements in advance (e.g. going home, or social events, or anything when you don't know exactly when you want to be picked up).

---

I think there are also a number of people who have used Uber as their first hire car / VHA experience, and have realised that limos are better than taxis and not substantially more expensive.

 

[smithy]

Even though Uber X is illegal here in Victoria, the reality is (UBER X) provide a better service than some of the legitimate hire car operators. :evil:

 

[penegal]

Even though Uber X is illegal here in Victoria, the reality is (UBER X) provide a better service than some of the legitimate hire car operators. :evil:

Really?

I think UberX are far better and cheaper than taxis, but I find hire care operators to be reasonably good for the most part - especially if you have a "regular" driver. After all, many of these individuals are Uber Black drivers in their spare time. I will admit that many hire car drivers have an inflated opinion of their "value" and what they should charge, but you either negotiate or walk - That's capitalism.

UberX really wins with the combination of:

• Convenience
• Service
• Price point

I had a good chat to one uberX driver the other day, and he seemed like a regular guy. He had a day job, but was doing this in his spare time for extra pocket money to pay down his mortgage. He has aspirations of being able to go on nice holidays and afford to send his children to "good" schools (read: catholic or independent). I don't see anything wrong with these aspirations. He is clearly not a master criminal, and in my opinion was a very safe and experienced driver.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Just had UberX from park Hyatt Syd to Hilton. $8 in a BMW 7 series.

Taxis are dead

 

[boomy]

Just had UberX from park Hyatt Syd to Hilton. $8 in a BMW 7 series.

Taxis are dead

Mattress run?

 

[penegal]

Mattress run?

Or important business meetings?

 

[OzEire]

Just had UberX from park Hyatt Syd to Hilton. $8 in a BMW 7 series.

Taxis are dead

I took 3 taxi rides in the last 24 hrs. One I will call 'acceptable' (no, not good, but ok) but the other two were awful.

Cars in poor condition, internally filthy and draughty (at least it helped with the smell) and worst of all I felt unsafe with the drivers who looked tired and were on the phone most of the trip.

 

[boomy]

Or important business meetings?

Ah business meetings in lounges... I always remember how they started but often forget how they ended

 

[Cynicor]

Got into a taxi for a very short fare yesterday and was worried I might have an issues.

Driver just said "no problem" and took me there. $10 total but he was pleasant and drove normally so I tipped him all my coin change (from a paper train ticket due to our poor reload system over here).

Must try Uber one day but my signup didn't work properly and now I'm in Uber Singapore...

 

[yohy?!]

Got into a taxi for a very short fare yesterday and was worried I might have an issues.

Driver just said "no problem" and took me there. $10 total but he was pleasant and drove normally so I tipped him all my coin change (from a paper train ticket due to our poor reload system over here).

Must try Uber one day but my signup didn't work properly and now I'm in Uber Singapore...

Uber is fine in Singapore also

Ideal given how bad taxis are there...they never seem to have enough on the road

 

[qaz]

My understanding (I could be wrong) is that uber has $5m insurance on every driver.

https://blog.uber.com/OzRidesharing

 

[benjy]

Convinced Sister and Step Mum to use Uber this week while it's free on the Gold Coast, hoping for their good reviews... I'm also looking forward to my $10 Uber credit being applied for them using my referral code (uberbenjya85)