Should Ride-Sharing App Uber Be Banned?

[ApexOversteer]

For those unfamiliar, Wiki says...



Uber is a ridesharing service headquartered in San Francisco, United States (U.S.), which operates in multiple international cities. The company uses a smartphone application to arrange rides between riders and drivers. Customers use the app to request rides and track their reserved vehicle's location. As of August 29, 2014, the service was available in 45 countries and more than 200 cities worldwide, and was valued at US$18.2 billion.

In 2012, the company launched its "UberX" program, which expanded the service to any qualified driver with an acceptable vehicle. Due to a lack of regulation, Uber can offer lower fees, so the service has become extremely competitive with traditional taxi services, expanding Uber's appeal to a broader cross-section of the market

These drivers aren't licensed or insured like other hire rides are, aren't equipped to service the disabled, no criminal history background checks are done, nor are they beholden to Health Department regulation.

There is a groundswell of calls for the service to be banned. Delhi (India) has already banned the service, after a driver was accused of raping a passenger. Portland, Oregon has also banned the service, because it doesn't comply with Oregon DOT regulations.

What say you, should Uber be stomped like a bug, or should people just chill the f*ck out?

[Rob]

I use them instead of taxis and they are far cheaper and many of the drivers give snacks or bottled water along the commute. Plus the cost is less than half of that of what a taxi would charge.

Competition is a good thing. And yes, they have to go through inspections and background checks now in Tennessee.

[vtelvr]

As much as I am against regulations that hinder free business, I would be all for uber drivers having to go through the paces like a taxi does. Being at the mercy of a driver that you've never met makes me a little uneasy. Not all are bad, but one bad apple can spoil the bushel.

[Stangkiller]

We used uber exclusively on our last trip to NYC....they absolutely were licensed, they were cheaper than a cab, the cars were cleaner and nicer than a cab, and way more courteous. Uber is the free market actually working.

The neat thing is you can rate the driver, don't like the guys rating, call a different uber, didn't like your experience rate your driver with a bad review.

[simpleman68]

Used Uber for the first time in Seattle visiting SIL. Awesome service concept and our drivers were all young upcoming types that needed the extra pay and we're really fun to talk to.

You can see what kind of car they drive as well as reviews from other passengers. If you're not comfy with one on the map you can book another.

As long as some basic regulations are met, I'm all for it and have actually pondered developing that service here in the Lehigh Valley.
Scott

[wicked_c6]

Uber drivers do have an extensive background check and have commercial liability insurance. It's not like people are just sayin, "oh i'm going to just go Uber drive today". :)

I've used their Uber X service a few times. It was fantastic.

THey are getting a bad rap in cities because they take fares away from taxis, who pay heavy licensing and taxes to...guess who...the cities. That's why cities are banning them.

[LATB]

A service I should never need.

[DAB]

gotta love the rent seeking the taxi companies enjoy.

[onedef92]

I would never ride in one unless it was someone I knew driving the vehicle.

[Fastguy]

Just used one in NYC, guy was driving a Prius with every light in the dash lit up. His buddy had "modified the electrical" to add a trailer harness to pull a 17' boat. Good thing we were crawling, I felt really safe in that POS knowing it is highly dependent on a functioning electrical system. :lol:

[Cybercowboy]

Free markets, I'm good with that.

[GRN ENVY]

Uber is awesome!!!! Use it when I can

[ApexOversteer]

Thailand and Spain banned Uber today.

[99 pewtercoupe]

They have issues........
Is Uber’s Biggest Rival Itself? A Collection of Controversy - Digits - WSJ (http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/11/18/is-ubers-biggest-rival-itself-a-collection-of-controversy/?KEYWORDS=Uber)

[polarbear]

I haven't decided. They pretty much told the City of Portland to go pound sand. News at 11:00...

[Craig]

As much as I am against regulations that hinder free business, I would be all for uber drivers having to go through the paces like a taxi does. Being at the mercy of a driver that you've never met makes me a little uneasy. Not all are bad, but one bad apple can spoil the bushel.

Anyone is free not to use them if they don't want to.