Comments on How much regulation is appropriate for Uber-like services? - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Ms. D

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 23:52:56 EDT

Just to put a very fine point on this issue, my neighbor 2 doors up is a cab driver. So, when I first moved here and met him, I thought I would make my life more convenient and his life more lucrative by asking him if he'd be willing to drive me to the airport (usually DCA, but occasionally Dulles) for my numerous work trips. I was very upfront with what I needed (a cab VERY early in the morning, usually), and, when I asked, he was very excited about the opportunity, and gave me his number. So less than two months later, I needed a cab to the airport at the aforementioned VERY early hour, and tried to call him to schedule the ride starting 3 days before my trip (I needed to go to DCA in this case). I called, and called, and called, and called...and then gave up and scheduled a ride with another cab company (who showed up LATE, of course). When I got BACK into the states, I found a message from him on my voicemail that he couldn't possibly do it because he couldn't *possibly* get a return fare at that hour. So, I offered you $25 + tip to roll out of bed and drive from your/my house (I was more than willing to walk the length of a few cars up the street to get into his cab) to DCA and back (at that hour of the morning, about 20 minutes each way), and that wasn't good enough. mmmmmk.

Comment by Ms. D

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 23:27:41 EDT

Right now, it is different, goldfish. When I get an Uber car, beyond it being black and picking me up quickly no matter where I am, the car is clean, the driver obliges my requests (such as using a specific route to avoid headaches I know about, adjusting the temperature (they usually ask me if I am comfortable, rather than getting grumpy if I exercise my right to request they roll up the windows and turn on the heat or AC when it is uncomfortable outside), or making a quick stop (while they keep the meter running) so that I can grab a 6 pack or gift on my way to a party), stay off their cell phone, and, heck, since they are sedan operators, they even open the door for me (before the latest round of cab reforms, I cannot begin to tell you how many times I hurled my own heavy luggage into the back of a cab, and PAID FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING SO, forget opening the door for me).

Honestly, I'm only really critical of the fact (and it is a fact) that DC cab drivers are unwilling to make anything but the most profitable trips for them. Hence my trying cabs first, since the extra expense *is* a luxury for me. They won't come pick me up in my neighborhood because they can't easily and predictably get a fare coming into the neighborhood, and they don't want to take me home because there's a decent chance they won't get a return fare while heading back to the major going-out hubs. And it's not just the neighborhood I live in now, I had the same trouble when I lived in a non-party part of the Hill. They're breaking the law when the lock the doors and ask me where I'm going before they let me in, or order me out when they don't lock the doors and I tell them after I get in, but they don't care. Hopefully, the new dispatch services will help ameliorate these issues somewhat, as it's clear there is a lot of demand for cabs to and from under-served neighborhoods that isn't being met. For now, I can put up with smelly drivers, no AC, and rickety cars, but not waiting over 2 hours for a ride.

But, if you really think that Uber is just a cab painted black, I urge you to give it a try. It's WORLDS different than your typical DC cab, on more fronts than being willing to service under-served neighborhoods.

Comment by MLD

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:02:15 EDT

@Phil

What sort of reform needs to happen that isn't already happening? The taxis are installing GPS and credit card readers. We got a change in the fare structure that has, for me, resulted in lower cab fares. It's not much help to say "WE NEED REFORM" and not say anything about what that means to you.

I wonder if the taxi drivers really have a reason to be scared about Uber. Seems to me there is a lot of hype over the service but given its cost, I question how many people are replacing lots of cab rides with Uber rides.

Comment by Phil

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:35:04 EDT

While regulation discussions regarding alternate methods of getting from one point to another are necessary, I can't but think of this being a case of "horse before the cart".

This city is in need of substantial reform to it's existing taxi service. It still operates like it is operating in a sleepy small southern city. Now I hear that proposed new regulations have been delayed yet again.

Comment by goldfish

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:23:31 EDT

Paint the cabs black; as the cab companies starting using a smart-phone dispatch ap, the cabs will look and feel more like Uber limos. Then we will see if the service everybody complains about is really any different.

Comment by Bob

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:27:08 EDT

We know that Jim Graham has had an up close and personal relationship with the taxi industry. But the fact isn't that the DC taxi industry is regulated, it's that it is poorly regulated because service continues to be at third world levels. Enter Uber, and the entrenched DC taxi industry is going nuts because they provide a vastly superior service and a midestly higher price point. DC residents and other users have to keep the pressure on the politicians not to give in to taxi demands on this -- we know to be wary, because the taxi industry is part of Vince Gray's base. During the primary election two years ago, taxi drivers were offering free rides to the polls for Gray supporters, because they were still angry at Fenty for forcing meters on them.

Comment by Tim Krepp

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:53:10 EDT

@kk,

Why would it cost "at least $100"? Uber's minimum fare is $15.

Comment by Geoffrey Hatchard

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:32:49 EDT

David: Let the record show that you truly are a nerd! :)

Comment by Ms. D

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:06:06 EDT

kk, I live in one of those parts of NE that cab drivers often don't want to go to (not far from your friend, really) and visit other friends in the same area, and Uber always gets me, and usually quickly. A few Saturdays ago, I called every cab company in my phone book (4) for a ride across town, gave up after an HOUR, and was seated in an Uber less than 15 minutes later (I often TRY the cabs first, because I don't necessarily want to shell out the extra money for a pleasure trip where I'm not on a fixed schedule). I've even managed to get a ride quickly, and without extra charge, after midnight (but before Metro closes...that is KEY...after Metro closes this entire city becomes a wrestling match for a cab, including Uber). If it's kinda busy, I might wait 20-30 minutes, but that beats the heck out of how long I'd end up waiting for a cab (ONE of the four cab companies I called that Saturday FINALLY called me back after over an hour and a half and told me they had someone who could pick me up in a half an hour...over 2 HOURS versus less than 30 minutes, max!).

Comment by kk

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:31:45 EDT

@ WMATARage

I want to test it out by picking some of the worst areas in DC and Arlington and seeing if a car actually comes; though I'm not sure I want to pay atleast $100 to do this test.

Comment by WMATARage

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:19:29 EDT

@kk:

Hardest I've ever found it to get an Uber to come was a friend's house at 10th and Girard NE (still sketchy, I guess?). It was something like 8/8:30 on a Saturday night and I saw my pickup request circulate through available drivers three or four times before one of them finally accepted it. But he did accept it. (Conversely, I've had no problems with getting Uber to come in Trinidad, parts of SE, etc. That was the only one.)

Comment by kk

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:14:27 EDT

Just curious but has Uber ever had any incidents of not picking up passengers from or going to a specific a location like cabs in DC have

Comment by I. Rex

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:08:05 EDT

Just watched the video. Jim Graham just does not get it or is being paid by the taxi industry not to get it. He harped on the fact that regular taxis are hyper regulated and Uber style taxis are totally unregulated and says this is unfair. No, Jim, regular street hail cabs are regulated because there's no dis-incentive for them to cheat clients because they don't worry about repeat service from the same client. Uber style carriers can't do that because they rely on repeat customer service. The market protects the consumer from Uber style cabs.

Comment by charlie

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:21:54 EDT

A [comment pre-deleted] and his money are soon parted.

Comment by WMATARage

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:04:14 EDT

Thank you, David. This is a very well-reasoned argument that I hope can carry the day today.

Disruptive technology always lives up to its name, and the old guard can't keep up with that. I took a DC cab maybe twice ever, but I've taken Uber more times than I can count. It's just a different service all together.