Finally! UBER coming to BC

[badbadboy]

http://www.theprovince.com/touch/story.html?id=11665194

I've used this service on both coasts of the USA and it rocks.

Great drivers, clean vehicles, economic and a ride pick up is usually less than 5 minutes.

 

[nigelplays]

I only use Uber. Love it.

 

[Oldfart]

If they're not allowed to charge cheaper fares than cabs, then what's the point?
Other than during the Xmas New Year season when all the cabs are busy.

 

[badbadboy]

I love Uber but I'll believe it when I see it.

The provincial regulator has issued relatively few taxi licenses the past 25 years. That's why a taxi license is now worth almost a million dollars.

Why not start by issuing more licenses and creating more competition. Don't need uber to do that.

I just came back from a US city where I paid $14 for a 25 minute airport ride ( compared to double that here).

There's more to this than just embracing technology.

Should be an interesting political battle ( but I still don't expect to be using my Uber app in vancouver anytime soon )

I know a family with four licences and none of their family members ever get behind the wheel. They have minimum wage drivers running the cars 24/7.

At least with UBER the driver is his/her own boss. They decide when, where and who they will pick up.

The biggest pushback will come from Mayor Moonbeam and his council who graciously accepted $ from the major taxi companies in campaign contributions. Payolla at its worst to keep competitors like UBER or Lift out of the marketplace.

We need more rides available and they don't have to be the really expensive ones.

 

[westwoody]

Why not start by issuing more licenses and creating more competition.

People who have million dollar licences are not going to let that happen.
Remember the shit fit taxi drivers had in Toronto over uber?
Vancouver taxi drivers went nuts when transit started running bus service to the airport.
Licence owners have a lot to lose and will fight this tooth and nail.

 

[Feenix]

If they're not allowed to charge cheaper fares than cabs, then what's the point?
Other than during the Xmas New Year season when all the cabs are busy.

The worst drive I have ever had was with a local cab driver. He dashed in and out of traffic. He slammed on his brakes rather than slowing down gently. It was a terrifying ride. He was only interested in getting back to YVR as quickly as he could.

I would use Uber, I think, if it were here and even charging the same rate. I would at least give it a try.

 

[mercyshooter]

For Uber, you can try high end vehicles, enjoy the comfort, reasonable price range, no hassles, etc.

 

[CanineCowboy]

I have never been able to understand the argument for allowing Uber into our city. It is mislabeled as a 'car sharing service' even though there is nothing shared about it (unlike - a collectivo). It is simply an uninsured unlicensed unregulated car service owned by a billionaire corporation that is cheaper than our existing insured licensed regulated car services. Air bnb is similar in the accommodation sector. I would like people to examine the effect such services are having on San Francisco in real terms (tax base, housing availability, gentrification). Maybe we should adhoc eliminate all regulation: food production and service, medicine, dentistry, building codes, bylaw restrictions, fuck, why not have uberpolice. Basically the end game is a race to the bottom where billion dollar corporations determine 'fair' market.

 

[badbadboy]

I have never been able to understand the argument for allowing Uber into our city. It is mislabeled as a 'car sharing service' even though there is nothing shared about it (unlike - a collectivo). It is simply an uninsured unlicensed unregulated car service owned by a billionaire corporation that is cheaper than our existing insured licensed regulated car services. Air bnb is similar in the accommodation sector. I would like people to examine the effect such services are having on San Francisco in real terms (tax base, housing availability, gentrification). Maybe we should adhoc eliminate all regulation: food production and service, medicine, dentistry, building codes, bylaw restrictions, fuck, why not have uberpolice. Basically the end game is a race to the bottom where billion dollar corporations determine 'fair' market.

The App allows users to share rides. Last year we had an hour + drive and shared the actual cost three ways.

If you are questioning the money aspect, have you considered the existing monopoly in place with multi millionaires who merely own the licence? They have been enabled to provide crap service at an unreasonable price. Their drivers are paid piss poorly to boot.

Competition will be good for us vs the currently rigged game.

 

[billiards11]

Love Uber! I tried it in Toronto and it's great. You can get some great comfortable vehicles.

 

[apl16]

I have never been able to understand the argument for allowing Uber into our city. It is mislabeled as a 'car sharing service' even though there is nothing shared about it (unlike - a collectivo). It is simply an uninsured unlicensed unregulated car service owned by a billionaire corporation that is cheaper than our existing insured licensed regulated car services. Air bnb is similar in the accommodation sector. I would like people to examine the effect such services are having on San Francisco in real terms (tax base, housing availability, gentrification). Maybe we should adhoc eliminate all regulation: food production and service, medicine, dentistry, building codes, bylaw restrictions, fuck, why not have uberpolice. Basically the end game is a race to the bottom where billion dollar corporations determine 'fair' market.

I agree completely!

 

[Cami Parker]

My brother that lives in the states really loves über, but I don't think I'd use it ... I'd rather leave my driving to a professional.

 

[CanineCowboy]

Did anyone else listen to the 180 on CBC radio today? Seems like letting Uber come into our fair city is an increasingly terrible idea. With their model, they use our infrastructure for free and contribute nothing to our local tax base. Their argument, of course, is that they are just an app, so their taxes are paid in California, where they are located.
Another program a few weeks ago examined Uber's predatory strategy of expansion which focuses on attacking municipalities and avoiding conflict with better funded national/state/provincial governments. One strategy is for Uber to back their 'contractors' by paying the court fees and fines that their drivers accrue for operating illegally. Being a company valued between $60-70 billion, its chump change for them to continually go to court, while municipalities don't have the $ to continually fight them.

 

[Elm]

Did anyone else listen to the 180 on CBC radio today? Seems like letting Uber come into our fair city is an increasingly terrible idea. With their model, they use our infrastructure for free and contribute nothing to our local tax base. Their argument, of course, is that they are just an app, so their taxes are paid in California, where they are located.
Another program a few weeks ago examined Uber's predatory strategy of expansion which focuses on attacking municipalities and avoiding conflict with better funded national/state/provincial governments. One strategy is for Uber to back their 'contractors' by paying the court fees and fines that their drivers accrue for operating illegally. Being a company valued between $60-70 billion, its chump change for them to continually go to court, while municipalities don't have the $ to continually fight them.

I agree.

Uber shills harder than sps/handlers. They need to contribute to the local taxes to be of any benefit.

 

[Atticus]

I would never use Uber. What next, Uber ambulance?

 

[Atticus]

My brother that lives in the states really loves über, but I don't think I'd use it ... I'd rather leave my driving to a professional.

Well said!

 

[take8easy]

I will start by saying that Uber is a Brilliant business model. They have created a brand name that is recognized world wide and now Uber is milking in billions of dollars every year. They get in thru back door calling themselves a ride share service, but let us face it, it is a taxi business.
Uber can easily wiggle away if one of their drivers over-charges or if a passenger leaves something in the cab. During a recent cab ride, I had a long talk with the cabbie, I have to say it was very informative. Among other things, he told me that they are working on one app for the greater Vancouver area. Which is a great idea, but I think they have many more things to improve upon.

I do take cabs quite a bit and although the experience is not always pleasant, I still wouldn't feel safe taking Uber because Uber drivers are not trained professionals, who do it to make extra buck on the side. I wouldn't trust an unlicensed handyman to do home improvements. Again, this is what I was told by the cabbie, that their cabs go through so many mechanical inspections, which Uber is not going to be subject to. Now this irks me a lot; Uber makes billions of dollars and pay no tax in Canada or in BC. Ironically, govts at some levels and in some jurisdictions are willing to ignore it. State of California has fined them hundreds of thousands of dollars for tax evasion (that would be like a drop in the bucket for Uber).

As for the cab industry, they need to get their act together too. Most urgent would be in the area of taxi drivers themselves.

 

[take8easy]

I have never been able to understand the argument for allowing Uber into our city. It is mislabeled as a 'car sharing service' even though there is nothing shared about it (unlike - a collectivo). It is simply an uninsured unlicensed unregulated car service owned by a billionaire corporation that is cheaper than our existing insured licensed regulated car services. Air bnb is similar in the accommodation sector. I would like people to examine the effect such services are having on San Francisco in real terms (tax base, housing availability, gentrification). Maybe we should adhoc eliminate all regulation: food production and service, medicine, dentistry, building codes, bylaw restrictions, fuck, why not have uberpolice. Basically the end game is a race to the bottom where billion dollar corporations determine 'fair' market.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[badbadboy]

My brother that lives in the states really loves über, but I don't think I'd use it ... I'd rather leave my driving to a professional.

What I learned from a few drivers was a lot of them are actually licenced taxi drivers moonlighting with their own cars.

Did anyone else listen to the 180 on CBC radio today? Seems like letting Uber come into our fair city is an increasingly terrible idea. With their model, they use our infrastructure for free and contribute nothing to our local tax base. Their argument, of course, is that they are just an app, so their taxes are paid in California, where they are located.
Another program a few weeks ago examined Uber's predatory strategy of expansion which focuses on attacking municipalities and avoiding conflict with better funded national/state/provincial governments. One strategy is for Uber to back their 'contractors' by paying the court fees and fines that their drivers accrue for operating illegally. Being a company valued between $60-70 billion, its chump change for them to continually go to court, while municipalities don't have the $ to continually fight them.

I am sure if the Canadian Govt gets their way the Uber people will become good corporate citizens here too. They have ways of making everyone pay their share.

Have you done a similar analysis of Car2Go etc?

Who is subsidizing that program? Anyone with car insurance in BC is paying for others to get a subsidized car rental. Yes car rental. We do not pay insurance for Budget, Avis etc etc yet we pay car insurance for Car2Go and other "ride shares". One can drive all over the city of Vancouver for $10 - $15. Why is that people turn a blind eye to the unfairness of this system while as soon as the word Uber is uttered it's proclaimed as something evil?

I am a dedicated user of Uber when in those jurisdictions. Never had a bad ride, always a clean vehicle and they never try to pad the ride by going the long route or programming their meter to make me pay the most for time/distance. This is because the App tells you exactly what you will be charged up front.

 

[Claire Monet]

I use taxis in Vancouver on nearly a daily basis. I've used uber twice in the states with a client. As I mostly travel alone in Vancouver the major advantage, in my perspective, is the dash cam. I wouldn't be comfortable traveling alone with an unlicensed uber driver who would not be required to have a camera onboard.