Most of the people I've talked to in my age group (mid twenties to early thirties) adamantly avoid taking a taxi whenever possible. The reasons why have been beaten to death by now, but they include:
- Uber's show up on time, and I can track them using an app. Before Uber, I had to call a cab company, hope someone would answer, be told I'd have to wait 45 minutes to an hour, then hope the taxi would actually show up.
- For almost all of the Uber's I've taken, if the car wasn't on the newer end, it was at least clean. I've never been in a taxi and thought "Wow! They really take care of these things." I usually get out feeling like I need a shower.
- The rating system (which goes both ways, your driver rates you as well) helps ensure that they want to provide a good experience for you. Taxi drivers have no motivation - most people won't call a hotline to report and issue vs just choosing a star rating on their phone.
- The price is reasonable, and I get an estimate before leaving. I hate how taxies just go without any idea of what you'll be paying. It's even worse when you're in a city you don't know, and you're unsure if they're taking the best route.
- Most taxi drivers I've met have been incredibly rude and impatient, and then expect a 20% tip. On top of that, I've had a bunch of them lie and say they don't accept credit cards after the trip is complete, even though there is a sign that says they are legally required to. "The machine is broken" isn't a valid excuse.
- With Uber, I don't have to worry about them awkwardly watching me decide how much to tip, it's included in the price. I don't even have to worry about figuring out how to pay! I just get out and go and it's automatically charged to my card.
I'm surprised when I hear that people are in favor of saving taxies. Yes, Uber and Lyft should probably be a bit more regulated. But taxies were doing so many things almost comically wrong for so long, it's not surprising a competitor has come along and been successful.
- Uber's show up on time, and I can track them using an app. Before Uber, I had to call a cab company, hope someone would answer, be told I'd have to wait 45 minutes to an hour, then hope the taxi would actually show up.
- For almost all of the Uber's I've taken, if the car wasn't on the newer end, it was at least clean. I've never been in a taxi and thought "Wow! They really take care of these things." I usually get out feeling like I need a shower.
- The rating system (which goes both ways, your driver rates you as well) helps ensure that they want to provide a good experience for you. Taxi drivers have no motivation - most people won't call a hotline to report and issue vs just choosing a star rating on their phone.
- The price is reasonable, and I get an estimate before leaving. I hate how taxies just go without any idea of what you'll be paying. It's even worse when you're in a city you don't know, and you're unsure if they're taking the best route.
- Most taxi drivers I've met have been incredibly rude and impatient, and then expect a 20% tip. On top of that, I've had a bunch of them lie and say they don't accept credit cards after the trip is complete, even though there is a sign that says they are legally required to. "The machine is broken" isn't a valid excuse.
- With Uber, I don't have to worry about them awkwardly watching me decide how much to tip, it's included in the price. I don't even have to worry about figuring out how to pay! I just get out and go and it's automatically charged to my card.
I'm surprised when I hear that people are in favor of saving taxies. Yes, Uber and Lyft should probably be a bit more regulated. But taxies were doing so many things almost comically wrong for so long, it's not surprising a competitor has come along and been successful.