What's your Uber experience?

[Quickstatus]

why dont all taxis use GPS technology?

 

[Skyring]

The driver who picked me up in Seattle this morning already knew my destination when he arrived - he confirmed my first name and said "and you're going to Seatac?"

We are told the passenger's first name before arrival, and sometimes it's pretty obvious where the passenger is going, from their bags, dress, and time.

I work around dawn, and if someone comes out with one big bag and one little bag, an hour before the first flights out of Canberra, well I don't have to be a rocket scientist to make an educated guess.

 

[Skyring]

why dont all taxis use GPS technology?

In my experience they do. There'll usually be a despatch screen that will show a map, even if the destination or route isn't marked - though when I got out five years ago, it was pretty commonplace to have a newer screen that did this.

And a driver would have to be the most godawful mug not to have a Tom-tom or Navman of his own.

 

[Skyring]

I'm not sure Uber drivers get the destination originally. Something like the GC from BNE might actually be a bit far for many of them. Skyring will know.

We don't know the destination until we start the trip. A long trip like that, and I might refuse it once I learnt the destination, because it would take me two hours to finish the job there and back and I might not have that much time. I could be feeling tired and unable to drive safely for another two hours, or I might need to get the car home for my wife to use it, or I might have a second job or an appointment to meet.

But mostly, I'd take the job. Easy driving for a couple of hours, get the passenger to plug in via the AUX cord or Bluetooth and share his favourite music, grab a coffee for the return trip and swan home.

Unless there's some different protocol for long rides that I haven't yet encountered.

 

[MikeG]

I'll put it this way, he arrived at my home, in the rain with windows open, I hopped in, and asked if I can close the windows and he told me it was his first day. and it went downhill from there... It was an AAMI repairer (free taxis), so taxis should have their address imprinted on their brain...

 

[Skyring]

I'll put it this way, he arrived at my home, in the rain with windows open, I hopped in, and asked if I can close the windows and he told me it was his first day. and it went downhill from there...

That's bizarre. Maybe it WAS his first day and he hadn't worked out how to wind up the windows yet!

Or maybe he'd been given one of those million-miler cabs and the windows didn't actually work... I drove an old cab once and apart from the thing rattling and roaring, the front passenger door would randomly open in flight.

 

[dajop]

Aaah, taxis, they almost always meet expectations ... Last week, taxi from MEL airport, meter was already running when we got in (50c higher than flagfall) and there was a $2 surcharge showing as well (that at the end was added, in addition to the $3.58 airport fee). When we asked, we were told the $2 was a "booking fee" for airport pickups. It's not that $2.50 is a big deal, it's the principle (or are both these charges legit and I'm unaware of it?). No wonder uber has gained traction ....

 

[Skyring]

Aaah, taxis, they almost always meet expectations ... Last week, taxi from MEL airport, meter was already running when we got in (50c higher than flagfall) and there was a $2 surcharge showing as well (that at the end was added, in addition to the $3.58 airport fee). When we asked, we were told the $2 was a "booking fee" for airport pickups. It's not that $2.50 is a big deal, it's the principle (or are both these charges legit and I'm unaware of it?). No wonder uber has gained traction ....

Unless there's some booking process, a taxi at the rank won't be charging a "booking fee", and the airport charges will be rolled into the fare.

I'd never start the meter until the passenger and their bags were safely in the cab. Not unless I was given permission to do so, for example by someone making a last-minute search for their passport who didn't want to see their cab vanish.

Someone who is a little dishonest may well be dishonest in bigger things. Going "the long way" for unsuspecting tourists, for example. Or adding in a little extra on the credit card as a "service fee".

Passengers aren't mugs - well, mostly they aren't - and will eventually wise up, spread their tales, and the whole industry suffers.

I think the Uber driver rating system is vital. Enough bad ratings and they can go do something else more suited to their talents. Run for office, possibly.

 

[Denali]

I thought Uber included the tip, my ignorance that changed and I wasnt up on the latest as we only use Uber when OS.

My husbands rating dropped from 4.92 to 4.6 and on googling, it might have been because we dont tip on every Uber trip, just most that I appreciate if it was a min/small job or for difficult pickup or just overall nice driver.

So after googling, I read that a lot of drivers will drop a star for no tip . Its currently back up to 4.86.

Excellent service Nashville Opry to Hilton, we stayed back late for a after show tour so the carpark was empty and he wasnt sure if we would still be here for him by the time he got there. A very pleasant and warm trip back to the hotel.

 

[dajop]

Run for office, possibly.

Comment of the day.

 

[Hvr]

Aaah, taxis, they almost always meet expectations ... Last week, taxi from MEL airport, meter was already running when we got in (50c higher than flagfall) and there was a $2 surcharge showing as well (that at the end was added, in addition to the $3.58 airport fee). When we asked, we were told the $2 was a "booking fee" for airport pickups. It's not that $2.50 is a big deal, it's the principle (or are both these charges legit and I'm unaware of it?). No wonder uber has gained traction ....

And the only reaction of the Taxi Commission would be that it's your fault, our taxi drivers are as pure as the driven snow.

I always ask for a receipt in these instances and have been known to take a photo of their identification upon commencing the journey if this sort of cough begins.

 

[Pushka]

Admittedly surge price due to rain and time but $35 fare to get from Bridge Rd to Convention Centre Melb. The GPS was really wrong.

 

[TomVexille]

Admittedly surge price due to rain and time but $35 fare to get from Bridge Rd to Convention Centre Melb. The GPS was really wrong.

It doesn't hurt to question it if it's way higher than it should be

 

[Pushka]

It doesn't hurt to question it if it's way higher than it should be

It was my nieces account. I think she queried. If it was my first it might have been our last.

 

[QF WP]

Had my first use of ingogo in Perth yesterday and if they are Uber's competition then Uber will flourish.

Found my way to the rideshsring area at VA Dom terminal and what showed up was a taxi. Fare was $48 to Hilton, akin to what a taxi used to cost me. Not keen to use them again for trips to/from Cottesloe tomorrow.

Instead today so used Uber to/from Applecross. Holdens Caprice and Holden Cruise. Immaculately clean and great drivers.

 

[JessicaTam]

OT but related, has anyone used Shebah?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Had my first use of ingogo in Perth yesterday and if they are Uber's competition then Uber will flourish.

Found my way to the rideshsring area at VA Dom terminal and what showed up was a taxi. Fare was $48 to Hilton, akin to what a taxi used to cost me. Not keen to use them again

I noticed them via the AMEX deal, but they seem to be select capital cities only and just a taxi booking app rather than a taxi alternative. I found their web site to be less than helpful in trying to work out what their service actually was.

 

[OzEire]

I noticed them via the AMEX deal, but they seem to be select capital cities only and just a taxi booking app rather than a taxi alternative. I found their web site to be less than helpful in trying to work out what their service actually was.

Basic booking and payments service, but you still get a taxi. The payments are better than taxi driver fumbling around multiple machines that are all broken and/or out of paper... and the booking system draws on the Uber idea. But ultimately you still ride in a taxi so im not that keen.

 

[Deleted member]

I thought Uber included the tip, my ignorance that changed and I wasnt up on the latest as we only use Uber when OS.

My husbands rating dropped from 4.92 to 4.6 and on googling, it might have been because we dont tip on every Uber trip, just most that I appreciate if it was a min/small job or for difficult pickup or just overall nice driver.

So after googling, I read that a lot of drivers will drop a star for no tip . Its currently back up to 4.86.

Excellent service Nashville Opry to Hilton, we stayed back late for a after show tour so the carpark was empty and he wasnt sure if we would still be here for him by the time he got there. A very pleasant and warm trip back to the hotel.

No tipping culture in Australia, even if you had used Uber here, it wouldn't make a difference if you didn't tip. The tipping culture In The US is ingrained, and in my experience, no tip is met with negative behaviour and often open hostility. Carry lots of "singles" if unsure a couple of them will at least save you some embarrassment. I'm not up on tipping % , so someone more knowledgeable than me may like to comment.

 

[Pushka]

It's around 20% of the cost of service. There is a tipping function inbuilt into the app and allows you to specify country. Clearly the drivers don't know if you've used that function.