Classic example of a protected, lazy and complacent industry ignoring structural changes in the business model. Let them go talk to Canada Post. That is if they can find the way without being guided there.
Taxi Drivers Protest
- Thread starter SkyRider
- Start date
I don't know. As mentioned in my post "correct me if I am wrong".
So, who are these Uber drivers?
Correct me if I'm wrong or over-simplifying things...
Wasn't the whole genesis of Uber supposed to be ride sharing? So, if I'm at Yonge & Queen and I need to get to Bathurst & Lawrence, I could use an app that would tell me if anyone was heading that direction and would let me hitch a ride. If that's the basic premise of Uber, then I'm all for that.
Where I see the taxi industry's concern is that many Uber drivers aren't just "happening" to be going a certain way, they are actively seeking out rides to any destination. I've read profiles of some Uber drivers who talk about how often they drive for Uber (some on weekends, some evenings, some on certain days of the week, etc.). To me, once you are doing that, you have basically become a taxi service. It's the difference between me saying "hey, I'm headed to Bathurst & Lawrence if anyone needs a lift" and "hey, does anyone need a ride somewhere?" When Uber drivers start offering themselves as a taxi service, then I think the taxi industry has a right to speak up and say "hang on...".
That all said, taxi drivers tend to be the vehicular scourge of the earth. I have heard the horror stories of being refused short rides, or not having change for a lowly $20, etc. I've lost count of how many taxi drivers can't stay in the same lane of traffic for more than 6 seconds, or come to a stop at a red or yellow traffic light (or stop sign). I firmly believe if all cabs stayed off the roads entirely, our streets would be much safer. And certainly their latest stunt just pushes more customers into the arms of Uber.
Wasn't the whole genesis of Uber supposed to be ride sharing? So, if I'm at Yonge & Queen and I need to get to Bathurst & Lawrence, I could use an app that would tell me if anyone was heading that direction and would let me hitch a ride. If that's the basic premise of Uber, then I'm all for that.
Where I see the taxi industry's concern is that many Uber drivers aren't just "happening" to be going a certain way, they are actively seeking out rides to any destination. I've read profiles of some Uber drivers who talk about how often they drive for Uber (some on weekends, some evenings, some on certain days of the week, etc.). To me, once you are doing that, you have basically become a taxi service. It's the difference between me saying "hey, I'm headed to Bathurst & Lawrence if anyone needs a lift" and "hey, does anyone need a ride somewhere?" When Uber drivers start offering themselves as a taxi service, then I think the taxi industry has a right to speak up and say "hang on...".
That all said, taxi drivers tend to be the vehicular scourge of the earth. I have heard the horror stories of being refused short rides, or not having change for a lowly $20, etc. I've lost count of how many taxi drivers can't stay in the same lane of traffic for more than 6 seconds, or come to a stop at a red or yellow traffic light (or stop sign). I firmly believe if all cabs stayed off the roads entirely, our streets would be much safer. And certainly their latest stunt just pushes more customers into the arms of Uber.
We know they are taxis because their cars say they are taxis. I would not be surprised if Uber drivers do the same or worse in their unmarked cars. I believe all Uber cars should have a "Uber" sign so the paying public know.
During the CNE, the taxis were parked in their designated "taxi parking" space. The Uber cars were parked in the bike lanes forcing cyclists out into traffic.
That is exactly the case. I know a lot of students do it to help pay for their tuition and other, less education-oriented activities. In this day and age, the cost of living is such that most people have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Uber is a means to do so. So while one group is hurt by Uber, another thrives because of it. I'm not sure it's the city's job to pick and choose which group should benefit from regulations. I say let the future in.
I was wondering the same thing. Whats really stopping these cab drivers from switching to a uber style service?
Thanks
Nicole King
A lot of cab drivers do drive Uber.
The reasonable solution is:
Require DRIVERS to be licensed to carry passengers by:
1. Demonstrating they have the right insurance
2. Having a clean driving record for at least 5 years
3. Passing a police background check
This can likely be done online and a processing fee of maybe $100 should cover the cost of looking up and verifying their information.
Then let them operate their business ANY WAY THEY LIKE. As a cabbie, an Uber X driver, or any other service they dream up.
So long as they have insurance, a good driving record, and no criminal history they should be good to go.
The reasonable solution is:
Require DRIVERS to be licensed to carry passengers by:
1. Demonstrating they have the right insurance
2. Having a clean driving record for at least 5 years
3. Passing a police background check
This can likely be done online and a processing fee of maybe $100 should cover the cost of looking up and verifying their information.
Then let them operate their business ANY WAY THEY LIKE. As a cabbie, an Uber X driver, or any other service they dream up.
So long as they have insurance, a good driving record, and no criminal history they should be good to go.
All is fine with Uber until a serious accident happens, the insurance companies reject the claim for whatever reason,then the shiiiit will really hit the fan. At that time huge law suits and liabilities will occur and the insurance industry will cease to underwrite Uber putting them underwater in N. America and it is coming. The political will to stand up to Uber is lacking but market forces will dictate their demise.
When I was a student I could barely afford to eat, much less afford a car.
I think it is because cab drivers respect the rule of law. Uber is an outlaw service (analogous to pirated DVD's and knockoffs). Would anybody on this board buy an illegal DVD because it is cheaper?
The cab drivers played by the system, including having their rates regulated. Uber has not played by the rules, with a lot of drivers saying they cannot make a living at it. I do not view it as having competition as much as letting people bypass rules because it is politically unpopular to shut it down (and, I expect, hard to shut down). I actually feel bad for the cab drivers.
Well, they can never compete with free. Right now you see the results, as investment in music and movies (and publishing) is very low. Why put up millions so someone may pirate? I think your example just shows people are happy to break the law if it has a monetary reward and the odds are good they will never face legal action (whether piracy, or driving without a cab license or proper insurance).
I fully support Uber and hope they bring about big changes in our cab industry that will cause prices to fall to reasonable levels. The proper insurance can be solved with insurance companies making a product available for Uber drivers. The notion a cab driver requires substantial training is ridiculous as we’ve seen that most people agree Uber drivers provide the service much better than cabs do.
Cabs have been charging too much for too long, and the people who have benefited from this are all the people above the driver on the chain. Drivers have to work long hours to take home a modest salary so I don’t include them in this. A cab driver has to fork over between $110 and $130 per 8 hour shift for the vehicle as well as cover gas. This means a fully utilized vehicle makes about $9,000 to $10,000 per month. When I was in the car rental game, most rental companies were happy bring in $1,500 - $2,000 / month on a comparable car as a taxi. Where does this $9K to 10K go? It goes to the cab company, insurance, vehicle maintenance costs, and then to the plate owner. If a car rental company can make a profit, why does a cab company require 5 to 6 times the revenue?
What I haven’t seen mentioned is that there are also agents in the chain between the cab company and the plate owner. As I understand, the cab company pays an agent of the plate, who pays another agent, and this goes on for another 1 or 2 levels until the remaining fee is paid to the plate owner. Apparently this is a quiet little secret cab companies don’t like to talk about or advertise. This would be like a manufacturer selling a product which goes through 4 wholesalers before it reaches the retailer. This I find to be absolutely ridiculous. If I’m wrong, then where does the extra $7-8K go? Cab insurance is not that expensive.
Someone needs to break down the accounting for this and I hope Uber brings this about.
Cab companies needed a swift kick in the ass and mandatory regulations to force them to upgrade their fleet to new vehicles, otherwise we’d still be carted around in old second hand police cruisers sitting on dirty vinyl bench seats hearing the hum of worn down bearings and the occasional rattle of a broken strut. Imagine how much they were making when their vehicle and maintenance was far less than today.
What perplexes me most is why the cab drivers are defending the right of everyone above them to continue getting such a big piece of the pie, while they scramble for the crumbs. They should be using this opportunity to fight for a bigger piece of the pie, not become the house slave.
Don
TDL
Cabs have been charging too much for too long, and the people who have benefited from this are all the people above the driver on the chain. Drivers have to work long hours to take home a modest salary so I don’t include them in this. A cab driver has to fork over between $110 and $130 per 8 hour shift for the vehicle as well as cover gas. This means a fully utilized vehicle makes about $9,000 to $10,000 per month. When I was in the car rental game, most rental companies were happy bring in $1,500 - $2,000 / month on a comparable car as a taxi. Where does this $9K to 10K go? It goes to the cab company, insurance, vehicle maintenance costs, and then to the plate owner. If a car rental company can make a profit, why does a cab company require 5 to 6 times the revenue?
What I haven’t seen mentioned is that there are also agents in the chain between the cab company and the plate owner. As I understand, the cab company pays an agent of the plate, who pays another agent, and this goes on for another 1 or 2 levels until the remaining fee is paid to the plate owner. Apparently this is a quiet little secret cab companies don’t like to talk about or advertise. This would be like a manufacturer selling a product which goes through 4 wholesalers before it reaches the retailer. This I find to be absolutely ridiculous. If I’m wrong, then where does the extra $7-8K go? Cab insurance is not that expensive.
Someone needs to break down the accounting for this and I hope Uber brings this about.
Cab companies needed a swift kick in the ass and mandatory regulations to force them to upgrade their fleet to new vehicles, otherwise we’d still be carted around in old second hand police cruisers sitting on dirty vinyl bench seats hearing the hum of worn down bearings and the occasional rattle of a broken strut. Imagine how much they were making when their vehicle and maintenance was far less than today.
What perplexes me most is why the cab drivers are defending the right of everyone above them to continue getting such a big piece of the pie, while they scramble for the crumbs. They should be using this opportunity to fight for a bigger piece of the pie, not become the house slave.
Don
TDL
A Q5 was totalled while Ubering last summer, and the claim was processed. Serious enough for you?
Well said, Don. The cabbies should be protesting against the plate owners. They're the real criminals.
I love Uber!!!! Will never set foot in a disgusting, dirty, expensive, shitty, decrepit taxi ever again!!!
And NO TIPPING!!!
I love Uber!!
And NO TIPPING!!!
I love Uber!!
If they did not have much public support before - they certainly will not have any now. They are shooting themselves in the foot with these stunts.
Recent comparison - taxi $60 uber $15
Recent comparison - taxi $60 uber $15
Think again, the insurance industry is perpetually looking for reasons to deny paying claims. It will take just one major insurance company to blacklist Uber and then watch it snowball across the board.
They were lucky, the insurance companies and Uber make for strange bedfellows and the future is murky.
Then their beef is with the municipal bureaucracy not with Uber. What does Uber have to do with the city's blatant and unnecessary cash grab?
