Uber/Lyft

[D-West & PO-Z]

Interesting article on cincinnati.com today about Uber and Lyft the ride sharing companies and how they have come to Cincinnati and what the consequences are and such.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/04/09/uber-lyft-raising-questions-safety-fairness/7506935/

I am definitely looking forward to trying these companies. My brother does driving for Lyft on the side in LA. Obviously there are some issues to work out, especially insurance, but love the competition for taxi drivers. Hopefully at the very leat it will force the citys taxis to get into the 21st century. The vast majority of cabs in cincy dont take credit cards, and that is completely frustrating. Cool stuff.

[Muskie]

I love UBER when I travel.

[bobbiemcgee]

Uber is big here in Denver. They have a commercial ins. policy now that starts when their drivers get a call. Buddy and I ubered to Rockies Opening Day to avoid 1. Driving under the influence 2. Paying exorbitant parking fees. Rockies now have a deal with them includung $20 off on the first ride to Coors Field.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Uber is big here in Denver. They have a commercial ins. policy now that starts when their drivers get a call. Buddy and I ubered to Rockies Opening Day to avoid 1. Driving under the influence 2. Paying exorbitant parking fees. Rockies now have a deal with them includung $20 off on the first ride to Coors Field.

In the cincinnati.com article they stated that the UBER insurance only kicks in if the driver's insurance doesnt cover the incident. It also said personal insurance a lot of times does not cover an accident when you are driving someone for a fee.

[bobbiemcgee]

here's the Post article:

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25348283/uberx-closes-insurance-gap-ride-sharing-drivers

[RoseyMuskie]

Used Lyft a few weeks ago. Highly recommend. Cheaper than a normal fare, they claim by about 30%, which was about the case for me.

You can see exactly where the cab is and its ETA on the application's GPS. Extremely convenient for deciding on another drink or not. Driver was friendly as well.

At the end, you rate the driver, and he/she rates you as a passenger. You pay a donation (instead of a fare) based upon a distance estimate. Then other drivers can see how you are as a passenger.

If a car is available (which is the major setback at this point), the apps are far superior to a normal cab.

[DC Muskie]

I use Uber pretty much every weekend. I am lazy and broke.

I enjoy the drivers, even though almost all of them moved to DC hours before picking me up. So I have to tell them where to go, because the GPS system they use will take us the long ass way around town. But whatever, I'm lazy, and broke so who cares.

My only beef is when they jack up rates due to not having enough cars available. Since you know that I am lazy, I usually wait until the last minute to call on Uber to get to where all the women are who are waiting to spend money on me (remember I am broke). So a couple of times I ran into paying huge fares for like 15 minute cab rides. Once I forgot the fact that I was lazy and emailed them my disgust for like a $45 fare. They told me it was because of the higher rate that I accepted when I requested a car. My laziness kicked right back in when I stopped the conversation and went back to using the service the next day.

Seriously I have an Uber bottle opener on my key chain. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is.

I actually shocked Cincinnati has this, because it was only a few years ago it came to DC.

[GetUp5]

This app is incredible.. You can get a free $20 ride to try it out, too.

No cash transactions- it's all through your card on the app AND the drivers are not allowed to accept tips. From the Hyde Park area to downtown, it's usually about a $23-$24 cab ride + tip.. Uber will get you there for $20 and there is no expectation of a tip. Add that to the fact you can 1. See where the driver is on the way 2. Text/Call him when he's on his way and 3. Order a 'black car' and feel like a rock star for about $5 more.

Uber rules.

[Kahns Krazy]

I tried to use Uber from Yard House the night of the UK Louisville game. We left at halftime, so it wasn't like we tried to get a car at the peak time. There were no cars to be had, at all. We tried for like 15 minutes. Then we walked outside and there was a cab sitting there.

I will think it's cooler when it has enough cars.

[Muskie]

I tried to use Uber from Yard House the night of the UK Louisville game. We left at halftime, so it wasn't like we tried to get a car at the peak time. There were no cars to be had, at all. We tried for like 15 minutes. Then we walked outside and there was a cab sitting there.

I will think it's cooler when it has enough cars.

Did you try upgrading or downgrading the type of car you requested?

[LA Muskie]

I use Uber (black cars and SUV) all the time. We pretty much use it every Saturday night -- I have a few friends who have gotten DUI's over the years and I want no part of that. In LA there are tons of cars available and it comes out to be cheaper than taking a cab, but in a much more comfortable car with a much more professional driver. I haven't tried UberX or Lyft yet -- what's the experience like with those? I wouldn't want my wife driving with an unlicensed (commercial) driver, but I'd be open to it myself.

[Muskie]

I use Uberx all the time (smaller cards than a town car). But I got picked up in a Mercedes last weekend in PHX. It just depends. Always had a good experience.

[LA Muskie]

I use Uberx all the time (smaller cards than a town car). But I got picked up in a Mercedes last weekend in PHX. It just depends. Always had a good experience.
Muskie, what are the UberX drivers like? Are they professionals or are they normal folk trying to make an extra buck?

[Muskie]

Normal folk. I've used it 10 times in the past 3 months. I had one guy who was awful and drove dangerously (reported him to Uber and received a credit) and the other 9 have been wonderful.

[Kahns Krazy]

Did you try upgrading or downgrading the type of car you requested?

We did, although I'm not ever sure all the options are available in Cincinnati yet. I also think it's a flaw on the app side that you can't choose to see all of them at once.

[Muskie]

We did, although I'm not ever sure all the options are available in Cincinnati yet. I also think it's a flaw on the app side that you can't choose to see all of them at once.

Yeah if you're new to the app... it's a tad confusing.

[Kahns Krazy]

Yeah if you're new to the app... it's a tad confusing.

Which is sort of difficult to believe when you're talking about a google backed company.

[Kahns Krazy]

Also, I kind of hate anyone that uses the word "uber".

[LadyMuskie]

Also, I kind of hate anyone that uses the word "uber".

I agree! Uber-annoying :wink:

[Muskie]

I agree! Uber-annoying :wink:

Personally I find Uber.... Uber. :whack:

[D-West & PO-Z]

I use Uber (black cars and SUV) all the time. We pretty much use it every Saturday night -- I have a few friends who have gotten DUI's over the years and I want no part of that. In LA there are tons of cars available and it comes out to be cheaper than taking a cab, but in a much more comfortable car with a much more professional driver. I haven't tried UberX or Lyft yet -- what's the experience like with those? I wouldn't want my wife driving with an unlicensed (commercial) driver, but I'd be open to it myself.

My brother drives for Lyft in LA. Other than that I know nothing about either company.