What's your Uber experience?

[Deleted member 29185]

Hertz @ $225 with ool pickup bne return

Pretty reasonable if that rate is for 4 days including a one way fee. Personally, I'd take that option over Uber, simply for the flexibility of having your own transport. Depending on where you're staying, sometimes car parking at a hotel can be a killer as well (eg H-BNE at $58/nite) plus remember fuel, bridge fee, insurance excess and possibility of the old excess-fuel/extra-day-rental/existing-damage scams but to me, Hertz does sound like the better option on the face of it.

 

[docjames]

Pretty much what I was thinking even with "extras" it may be easier overall.

Parking $15/day (Crowne Plaza) on GC.

 

[SponsorSFC]

I usually use Uber X for trips by myself with no luggage. However today had a short trip from the city to Subiaco and was picked up by an Uber select Mercedes C class at no extra cost. At $11 a taxi is not even going to get a look in.

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber started out well, but I suspect it was never supposed to be a another taxi service with the usual suspects.
Who knows where it will end up though.
My issue with Uber x is there is no minimum size in car. Frankly anything smaller than a Camry is not ideal IMHO.
Anyway we shall see where it all ends up eventually

I think Uber (the business) has every intention to disrupt and takeover the taxi industry. X was created to undercut the taxis as most customers are 1 person passenger. Then the other iterations are to supply the demand for the larger and top end of town. Poor taxis are being beaten by the “Jetstar” (X) on price and by “Qantas” service and comfort (XL, select, black) on the other end.

 

[Quickstatus]

Had an Uber ride from BNE to home this morning. I chose to go with an XL. My reasons are 1. Generally speaking you get a larger car (we had baggage) 2. I don’t like the randomness of the Uber X. You can get someone in a Mazda 2 :-(
In any event including bridge toll and airport access fees the fare was about $88.00. Still cheaper than a taxi.


1. The people who once were taxi drivers (new migrants from South Asia and Middle East) are now increasingly driving Uber.
.

Today UberXL from Syd T1 in peak hour not school holidays= Mercedes Viano
Total fare $194

2 weeks ago Taxi same origin same destination same time but during school holidays $250 cash (CC machine not working) and refused to give tax invoice

Yes taxi drivers are now populating Uber as drivers. Many drive both.
I reckon I can pick them - they don’t like turning aircon on.

Quicker too catching Uber from express pickup zone at T1 than the morning queues at the T1 taxi stand.

 

[Quickstatus]

Question for Uber drivers:

Would you drive 30 min to pick up a fare?

 

[Deleted member]

Question for Uber drivers:

Would you drive 30 min to pick up a fare?

I know many don't / won't , but how do you know where the fare is going?

 

[Quickstatus]

I know many don't / won't , but how do you know where the fare is going?

That’s the issue they can drive 30 min for a fare that takes 10min

 

[Bolthead]

Question for Uber drivers:

Would you drive 30 min to pick up a fare?

Quick answer, NO... saying that I have never had a 30 minute pickup and I suspect the Uber App may say 'no cars in the area' (not sure for certain) at the distance. I have only done 1986 rides (in the past 18 months) and the furthest I have done is 22 minutes. If I had a 30 minute pickup then and only then if the App told be the job was long distant (i.e the App tells the driver if the fare is over 35 minutes) then I may consider it depending on the time of day, where I was, my mood and whether up to that point I have had a good day or not. I also have a strange rule that I never knock back the first fare of the day and where I live I often will get pickups about 16 minutes away. Also I have also observed that if I do accept pickups that are 15 minutes or longer away the passenger will often cancel the trip themselves. I have had many cancellations when I am only 5 minutes away. You just never know when and why a customer (or driver for that matter) cancels.

I'm intrigue.... why ask this question?

 

[Daver6]

2 weeks ago Taxi same origin same destination same time but during school holidays $250 cash (CC machine not working) and refused to give tax invoice.

No tax invoice and I don't pay. Its that simple.

 

[Bolthead]

I know many don't / won't , but how do you know where the fare is going?

That’s the issue they can drive 30 min for a fare that takes 10min

You don't but some drivers will ring and ask... (I don't) But then I doubt I would accept a 30 minute pick up. There are many drivers out there that believe they have the right to know where the customer is going prior to accepting the trip. There are many reasons for this that I won't get into however if the pick up is long distance and the fare is small then I guess you can't blame the driver for wanting to know where you are going. Uber are experimenting overseas (in some markets) with a flat fee being charged to the customer for long distant pick ups however what I have read on many Uber forums is that it is pittance and doesn't fully compensate the drivers for the long distant pick ups.

There are other App issues which contribute to long distant pick up issues. Not sure you know this but when the driver gets a ping he/she only knows how far away the job is. Only upon accepting the job do you know the suburb and full address. The other week I accepted a job at 9 minutes away. When I accepted it I was actually 21 minutes away. Now I think there may be many drivers out there that may have cancelled on this however for me it was a bit of a slow day and I also don't like cancelling once I have accepted a job. (I do have some exceptions to this) I pocketed $6.13 for that job.

You have to take the good with the not so good.....

I am going on a bit which I apologise for. Many drivers look at how much they make at an hourly rate. I don't do that... I have a daily quota. Usually 6 hours $150 and 8 hours $200. (or somewhere between that) (you will never get rich at being an Uber driver) Because I am know retired from my normal career my hours don't really mean a lot. Uber is a lifestyle decision for me. It is one of the most flexible jobs you can have. All of my Uber profit goes towards our travel budget which means now we can usually fly Y+ and stay at 4-5 star hotels. (only fly J on points)

Sorry went off on a tangent there......

 

[Quickstatus]

Quick answer, NO... saying that I have never had a 30 minute pickup and I suspect the Uber App may say 'no cars in the area' (not sure for certain) at the distance. I have only done 1986 rides (in the past 18 months) and the furthest I have done is 22 minutes. If I had a 30 minute pickup then and only then if the App told be the job was long distant (i.e the App tells the driver if the fare is over 35 minutes) then I may consider it depending on the time of day, where I was, my mood and whether up to that point I have had a good day or not. I also have a strange rule that I never knock back the first fare of the day and where I live I often will get pickups about 16 minutes away. Also I have also observed that if I do accept pickups that are 15 minutes or longer away the passenger will often cancel the trip themselves. I have had many cancellations when I am only 5 minutes away. You just never know when and why a customer (or driver for that matter) cancels.

I'm intrigue.... why ask this question?

I live 30 min away from any transport hub, shopping centre.( hence today’s $194 UberXL fare). Taxis won’t come unless you say destination is airport

If you got your $200 qouta in 1.25 hours like my fare would you call it a day?

I hear Mr Shorten wants to make Uber drivers effectively employees with minimum hours, super

 

[Quickstatus]

No tax invoice and I don't pay. Its that simple.

Is this legally possible?

 

[TomVexille]

Is this legally possible?

I don't know about that, but drivers are required to provide one if requested

A tax invoice issued by a driver to a business passenger must contain sufficient information for the following to be clearly ascertained:

• the driver's ABN
• if the total price of the supply or supplies is at least $1000, the recipient's identity or ABN
• that the document is intended as a tax invoice
• the date of issue of the document
• the identity of the driver, or their state/territory taxi driver's accreditation number
• a brief description of the supply, for taxi travel this could be the pick-up point and the destination
• the GST amount payable in relation to the fare. Since the GST amount is exactly one-eleventh of the fare, this can be shown as either
• • a statement that the total amount payable includes GST
  • the total amount of GST payable.

Drivers should remember that they are required to provide a tax invoice to passengers if requested. Drivers should also remember to obtain tax invoices for their own business expenses if those expenses include GST and the amount paid is over $82.50 including GST.

(bolding mine)

 

[Daver6]

Is this legally possible?

About as legal as not providing a tax receipt.

 

[Bolthead]

I live 30 min away from any transport hub, shopping centre.( hence today’s $194 UberXL fare). Taxis won’t come unless you say destination is airport

If you got your $200 qouta in 1.25 hours like my fare would you call it a day?

I hear Mr Shorten wants to make Uber drivers effectively employees with minimum hours, super

No, I am still a capitalist, LOL... all it means is I may knock off a bit earlier. (especially if I got close to home) Haven't heard that about Shorten but why would he pick on Uber drivers. There are plenty out there that would love that to happen however there are more that would be dead against that. ( I am surmising that last comment based on discussions and bits and pieces I have picked up on the job)

 

[Quickstatus]

About as legal as not providing a tax receipt.

I think if supplier does not provided ABN then I should/could withhold 49% (or whatever the top marginal tax + Medicare is)

Sorry not Shorten but his associates in the TWU want to change Uber drivers to employees.

 

[Bolthead]

I don't know about that, but drivers are required to provide one if requested



(bolding mine)

I believe if a customer requests a Tax Invoice they need to contact Uber and Uber will somehow liaise with the driver. As usual I tried to find the answer on the Uber help page but to no avail. I rarely can find answer on the Uber website. It is hopeless...

ATO said:
Issuing a tax invoice
If a passenger requests a tax invoice (not just an invoice) for a fare over $82.50 (including GST) you must provide one.

Your facilitator might do this on your behalf if they have your GST registration status. However, if they don't, you need to use a tax invoice book with your ABN on it. (my bolding)

The tax invoice must contain the driver's details such as ABN. If the facilitator will issue tax invoices on your behalf, you should contact the facilitator and advise them of your GST registration status.

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber and international phone numbers:

If I use Uber overseas, my Australian phone number is attached to the Uber app.
Will I get charged overseas roaming rates if I call the driver in the number displayed in the app. Will the driver have to pay international rates to call me?

Is the driver contact details in the app the drivers true phone number or an “avatar” number

I know if I try to ring/txt the driver after the ride is over, I won’t be connected

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber tax invoice in Australia:

If it’s over $82.50 GST inclusive a tax invoice can be obtained via email to Uber - who will liaise with the driver to get one from the driver.

Under $82.50 GST inclusive a tax invoice will not be issued (or necessary)