Uber downer

[Nearly Sane]

Not Uber's biggest fan but black cabs in London are a joke in terms of cost, and mini cabs don't seem much different to Uber in the issues here.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41358640

[jeremyp]

There's a serious problem with Uber (ignoring all the other issues that have come up recently).

Uber has no disruptive technology. There's no real cost difference between an Uber driver taking you from A to B than a more conventional minicab. Both drivers have a car that uses fuel, needs maintenance and depreciates. So how can Uber charge less than a traditional minicab company?

There are two ways: they can squeeze their drivers and they can subsidise the fares by using capital from their investors. Uber does both of these and takes a $2 billion loss every year. I do not think either course of action is sustainable or ethical.

[Nearly Sane]

But they do appear to have the support of the PM


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41431847

[jeremyp]

But they do appear to have the support of the PM


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41431847

She's wrong. There aren't 40,000 Uber drivers in London. If they don't drive for Uber, they'll drive for other minicab firms (probably already do). 3.5 million lives will not be damaged, they'll either hail a black cab or they'll call a different minicab company.

For a more informed view on the situation, read this article.

https://www.londonreconnections.com/2017/understanding-uber-not-app/

[Nearly Sane]

Yes, i find it an odd pitch by May. As you have noted before, jeremyp, there isn't anything innovative about the software that increases demand, though the pricing does, I suspect. That pricing though is unsustainable in the long run.

I can undestand that May is trying for the red tape costs jobs line but I think she is mistaking that people do see this as more complex.

[Walter]

So how can Uber charge less than a traditional minicab company?

perhaps they've been over charging for so long its become normal

 

[Nearly Sane]

Interesting article on the Uber ban and surrounding issues

https://www.londonreconnections.com/2019/schrodingers-cab-firm-ubers-existential-crisis/

[jeremyp]

Interesting article on the Uber ban and surrounding issues

https://www.londonreconnections.com/2019/schrodingers-cab-firm-ubers-existential-crisis/

Almost the most surprising thing about that article is that British law has a thing called the "duck test". That seems far too sensible and idea for lawyers.