What's your Uber experience?

[Deleted member 29185]

Err, OK, I'll go and Google that, as I have no idea what you just typed!

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber uses a Google Map application programming interface in the Uber App. But drivers can also use the native google map app or another map app like Waze. Their driver Uber app still runs so everything is tracked.

For iOS users Siri and Apple map are no longer integrated with Uber. You can’t ask Siri to order an Uber and within Apple Map you can’t select Uber unlike Google Map

 

[Bolthead]

Just so you know there is UberPool and UberExpressPool. (in the USA) UberPool was first released and effectively it is like a bus service however you are picked up at your origin and dropped off at your destination. UberExpreesPool is more like a bus service whereby you will be told where to go to meet your Uber Driver and then you will be dropped off near your destination. (in some cases you may be lucky and be pickup at your origin and dropped off at your destination - although this may be rare)

It appears that Uber in Australia are offering the UberExpress system but dressing it up as UberPool. Don't be mistaken if you are not at the pickup location then the driver will cancel on you and you will be stung with a cancellation fee. (you have 2 minutes to get there before they can cancel) If you expect the driver to come to your origin it won't happen. (using UberPool) If you are an existing customer in the car you have to suck eggs and go with the flow. That means you will go slightly off your track and then have to wait at least 2 minutes at each stop. Depending on the original length of your trip this could easily add a further 10-20 minutes (maybe more, maybe less) to your trip. Remember don't order UberPool if you are on a schedule.

Drivers work harder with UberPool and they still have the option of not accepting these types of jobs so it will be interesting to see if Sydney drivers accept this type of work.

 

[Daver6]

That's really terrible with the different naming in different countries. Only going to cause confused and pain for those who have used UberPool overseas and then expect the same in Australia. Uber really is going downhill quickly. Seriously Lyft...come join the Australian market.

 

[Bolthead]

That's really terrible with the different naming in different countries. Only going to cause confused and pain for those who have used UberPool overseas and then expect the same in Australia. Uber really is going downhill quickly. Seriously Lyft...come join the Australian market.

The only good thing about Lyft joining the Australian market is for riders. Uber doesn't know how to compete with competition and all they do is reduce the prices. (in most USA markets the original price was $2.40 per mile. Now they are as low as $0.70 per mile) They don't realise that their most important asset is their drivers and if competition enters the market all they have to do is offer the driver more incentive to stay with them and most drivers will ignore Lyft.

 

[Daver6]

The only good thing about Lyft joining the Australian market is for riders. Uber doesn't know how to compete with competition and all they do is reduce the prices. (in most USA markets the original price was $2.40 per mile. Now they are as low as $0.70 per mile) They don't realise that their most important asset is their drivers and if competition enters the market all they have to do is offer the driver more incentive to stay with them and most drivers will ignore Lyft.

That's a fair point. However, if the passengers prefer Lyft (cheaper or jaded with Uber), the drivers will land up where the business is. Most likely they'll be with both, like in the US.

 

[Bolthead]

That's a fair point. However, if the passengers prefer Lyft (cheaper or jaded with Uber), the drivers will land up where the business is. Most likely they'll be with both, like in the US.

Yes, possibly but drivers will only go so far....(certainly I would - but I am not everybody) However saying that the drivers in the USA seemed to accept the reduction in prices. There is now a ground swell movement in the USA to get drivers to create a union and the latest hash tag is #paydriversfare. I don't believe the union thing will work. Given time Uber may listen to the drivers request but don't hold your breathe.

 

[daft009]

Got a few customers who have started using uber for their pick ups...iingenuous!

Bloody cheap point to point courier service for small cartons etc

 

[Bolthead]

Got a few customers who have started using uber for their pick ups...iingenuous!

Bloody cheap point to point courier service for small cartons etc

After 2500 rides I have only delivered 2 parcels. One was flowers on Valentines Day 2017 and the other was a parcel from a business in Kirrawee to Willoughby.

 

[Justinf]

Really disillusioned with Uber lately.
Came back from the US with a passenger rating of 4.91 and have taken three rides here and have slipped back to 4.88.
Not drunk, not rude, attempted talk with the drivers and greeted them by name.
I'm going to start giving 4 stars as a maximum now. I'm over it.

 

[sjk]

Really disillusioned with Uber lately.
Came back from the US with a passenger rating of 4.91 and have taken three rides here and have slipped back to 4.88.
Not drunk, not rude, attempted talk with the drivers and greeted them by name.
I'm going to start giving 4 stars as a maximum now. I'm over it.

So you're going to take it out on (probably) other drivers because some drivers took out their annoyance with (presumably) other passengers on you.

Sounds like an awesome solution.

 

[JohnM]

I see that Ola is promoting hard in PER right now.

Anyone got any experience to relate, particularly in comparison with Uber?

 

[durbrain]

(in some cases you may be lucky and be pickup at your origin and dropped off at your destination - although this may be rare)

I’ve taken more than 100 Uberpool express rides in SF (my default choice over uberpool/uberx). Pickup at origin is hardly rare and happens for most of my rides.

Don't be mistaken if you are not at the pickup location then the driver will cancel on you and you will be stung with a cancellation fee. (you have 2 minutes to get there before they can cancel) That means you will go slightly off your track and then have to wait at least 2 minutes at each stop.

Nope. You are directed to the express pickup point as the car is still enroute to you (not after they arrive!). Usually, I have 4-6 mins to get to the spot. Yes, if the car arrives before you they can cancel if you’re not there from 2 mins of THEIR arrival - which is only a problem if you’re lazy, obese or stupid (the express point is rarely more than one block away) [/QUOTE]

on the original length of your trip this could easily add a further 10-20 minutes (maybe more, maybe less) to your trip. Remember don't order UberPool if you are on a schedule.

Agree uberx is the best choice if in a rush. But the routing is pretty efficient and most co-riders aren’t deadbeats and are ready for pickup by the time the driver arrives so 3-5 mins difference usually in my experience. I find it no slower (and probably faster) than regular uberpool.

Hard to justify taking ‘normal’ public transport when uberexpress pool is $4 a ride. Basically a fast minibus service where the ‘station’ is no longer than a block away from where ever you are.

 

[straitman]

I haven't seen it written anywhere but we were told yesterday, by a driver, that Uber is shutting down in Singapore and some other parts of Asia on 8th April due to the massive losses they are taking.

 

[daft009]

After 2500 rides I have only delivered 2 parcels. One was flowers on Valentines Day 2017 and the other was a parcel from a business in Kirrawee to Willoughby.

On a recent trip the driver told me he has delivered keys, laptop chargers etc a few times

 

[dajop]

I haven't seen it written anywhere but we were told yesterday, by a driver, that Uber is shutting down in Singapore and some other parts of Asia on 8th April due to the massive losses they are taking.

See posts #1094 and #1095. Uber operations in SE Asia have been bought by the locally based
operator Grab - which has been more focussed on local markets, attracted more drivers and IMHO has better navigation and customer service.

 

[Justinf]

So you're going to take it out on (probably) other drivers because some drivers took out their annoyance with (presumably) other passengers on you.

Sounds like an awesome solution.

You’re (probably) right.
Is there any way you can avoid rating altogether?

 

[NoName]

You’re (probably) right.
Is there any way you can avoid rating altogether?

You don’t have to give the driver a rating. Just ignore it when it prompts you to.

 

[odysseus]

You don’t have to give the driver a rating. Just ignore it when it prompts you to.

Though that doesn't stop the driver rating you, which was justinf's concern. And copping the possible booking discrimination, such as drivers avoiding picking up pax with low ratings. (Though 4.88 isn't a concern.)

 

[NoName]

Though that doesn't stop the driver rating you, which was justinf's concern. And copping the possible booking discrimination, such as drivers avoiding picking up pax with low ratings. (Though 4.88 isn't a concern.)

I doubt drivers avoiding pax with low ratings is even a minor possibility for all but the worst of the worst customers. The money simply isn’t good enough for drivers to be picking and choosing who they take. I don’t even look at the rating. Just click the accept button as fast as possible.