# Uber Uber Alles **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 3, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105 "2015-03-03T17:23:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/21 "2015-03-03T18:50:35Z")
None of this would be a problem if everyone would just own their own damn car like a normal person. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/22 "2015-03-03T18:56:33Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > None of this would be a problem if everyone would just own their own damn car like a normal person. I own several cars, and use Uber when traveling to places like San Fran, NYC, DC, etc. I don’t always want to rent a car, if I’m just going from my hotel to a meeting. I hate cabs in most cities. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/23 "2015-03-03T18:59:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I don’t always want to rent a car, if I’m just going from my hotel to a meeting. I hate cabs in most cities. One could walk. One could take the bus. One could book a closer hotel. One could do any number of things other than engage a gypsy cab. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/24 "2015-03-03T18:59:46Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > Brooklyn cabbie charged with rape > [Brooklyn cabbie charged with rape, victim blasts his statement that she ‘wanted it’ as ‘cliché, textbook defense by a rapist’ – New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/brooklyn-cabbie-charged-rape-victim-wanted-article-1.2101767) > Delaware taxi driver charged with raping victim inside cab > [http://www.wboc.com/story/26346001/taxi-driver-charged-with-raping-victim-inside-cab-in-sussex-county](http://www.wboc.com/story/26346001/taxi-driver-charged-with-raping-victim-inside-cab-in-sussex-county) > Nashville cab driver charged with rape > [Private Officer Breaking News: Nashville cab driver charged with rape of Belmont University student privateofficer.com](http://privateofficerbreakingnews.blogspot.com/2015/02/nashville-cab-driver-charged-with-rape.html) > > I guess being an Uber :rolleyes: driver isn’t what drives men to rape. It must be being a taxi driver in general that does it. All beside the point. None of these rape stories include statements from a cab company executive threatening the reporter and the reporter’s family for writing the story. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/25 "2015-03-03T19:07:44Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I own several cars, and use Uber when traveling to places like San Fran, NYC, DC, etc. I don’t always want to rent a car, if I’m just going from my hotel to a meeting. I hate cabs in most cities. This wouldn’t be a problem if you’d just stay home like a normal person. 😉 Sorry, my comment was an allusion to the thread the OP linked to. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/26 "2015-03-03T19:08:10Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > All beside the point. None of these rape stories include statements from a cab company executive threatening the reporter and the reporter’s family for writing the story. Where in your New Delhi Uber driver rape story was there a threat to the reporter or their family? ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/27 "2015-03-03T19:19:47Z")
OP, did you steal my Uber uber alles, or is it so obvious that anyone would think of it? Yeah, never mind, I know, geddoudahere. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/28 "2015-03-03T19:20:40Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Sometimes a non-competitive market is in the public’s best interest, especially when it relates to inherently dangerous machines that pollute the environment and compete with mass transit. I live in one of the states that has extremely tightly regulated cab service. It’s also the state with the highest per capita drunk driving fatalities. That’s mostly because it’s a rural state, but I do strongly believe that the absolutely abysmal taxi service in all the cities is a contributor. Getting a cab around bar closing time is going to usually be a multi-hour affair even on a weeknight, let alone a weekend or holiday. (And for the most part public transit is limited and shuts down early.) From the cab company’s point of view, there’s no point hiring more drivers and buying more cars to accommodate the occasional surges since they’re not competing with anyone. If there were even rival traditional cab companies allowed there would at least be some pressure to compete on quality of service, not just running the barest level of service that maximizes profits. Something like Uber would be a godsend, but for now it’s illegal and can’t operate here. There is a bill in the legislature to change that, so my fingers are crossed! And you mention pollution. In my city there was a lengthy court battle a couple years back between the entrenched Yellow Cab franchise in town who were still running nothing by Chevy Caprices (huge ex-cop cars that are _at the newest_ 1994 vintage) and a startup that wanted to run Prius taxi cabs. They finally got the go ahead to operate in a very limited capacity, so thanks to the regulations most taxi rides are still given in 15 MPG cars with very old emissions control systems. You still can’t reliably get a ride from either at 2:00 AM. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/29 "2015-03-03T19:25:33Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I live in one of the states that has extremely tightly regulated cab service. It’s also the state with the highest per capita drunk driving fatalities. That’s mostly because it’s a rural state, but I do strongly believe that the absolutely abysmal taxi service in all the cities is a contributor… If there were even rival traditional cab companies allowed there would at least be some pressure to compete on quality of service, not just running the barest level of service that maximizes profits. Something like Uber would be a godsend, but for now it’s illegal and can’t operate here. There is a bill in the legislature to change that, so my fingers are crossed! I agree that “something like Uber” would be an improvement over the way you describe the status quo. That something like Uber, however, _should not be Uber_. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/30 "2015-03-03T19:29:28Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I agree that “something like Uber” would be an improvement over the way you describe the status quo. That something like Uber, however, _should not be Uber_. Uber is very much like Uber. Most people are very happy with it, those who are not, can take a cab. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/31 "2015-03-03T19:34:55Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Uber is very much like Uber. Most people are very happy with it, those who are not, can take a cab. Or they could just own their own damn cab like a normal person. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/32 "2015-03-03T19:40:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I agree that “something like Uber” would be an improvement over the way you describe the status quo. That something like Uber, however, _should not be Uber_. What exactly are you proposing that’s like Uber but not Uber? I think the basic point is that the car/ride-sharing app model is an extremely good way to get around the peak demand issues that plague traditional taxi services. I think your objection is that you think since the drivers and cars aren’t specifically licensed like taxis there’s less oversight. I think you’re making a flawed assumption there. For the most part, taxi licensing is more about the government trying to fiddle with the economics of the taxi business to achieve whatever specific goals it was trying to achieve 50 or 60 years ago when the rules were set up, not about assuring quality/safety of drivers or cars in any but the most basic sense. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/33 "2015-03-03T19:44:42Z")
> [@tapu](#): > > OP, did you steal my Uber uber alles, or is it so obvious that anyone would think of it? I just figured you were Uber uber alles allies. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/34 "2015-03-03T19:44:48Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I think the basic point is that the car/ride-sharing app model is an extremely good way to get around the peak demand issues that plague traditional taxi services. There’s no reason “traditional taxi services” can’t use an app model. [Hell, here’s one that probably works in your city.](http://gocurb.com/) There’s nothing wrong with having an app. The app is not the basis of my objection. The basis of my objection is that Uber drivers are not _licensed_ like taxi drivers, they are not _insured_ like taxi drivers, their _vehicles_ are not held to the standards that taxis are, they are not vetted or supervised like taxi drivers are, they do not offer guaranteed consisten fares like taxis do, and they operate outside of regulatory schemes specifically designed to limit the number of taxis on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/35 "2015-03-03T19:57:46Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s no reason “traditional taxi services” can’t use an app model. > > [Hell, here’s one that probably works in your city.](http://gocurb.com/) > > There’s nothing wrong with having an app. The app is not the basis of my objection. The basis of my objection is that Uber drivers are not _licensed_ like taxi drivers, they are not _insured_ like taxi drivers, their _vehicles_ are not held to the standards that taxis are, they are not vetted or supervised like taxi drivers are, they do not offer guaranteed consisten fares like taxis do, and they operate outside of regulatory schemes specifically designed to limit the number of taxis on the road. Look I don’t use Uber. Not even sure if it’s offered here, but just using an app isn’t the issue. It’s that Uber has a model for responding to peak and slack demand times. Something traditional cab companies seem to not give a shit about. It’s not Uber that’s the problem here, it’s that the regulatory system is not keeping up with the times due to entrenched interests (surprise, surprise). ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/36 "2015-03-03T19:58:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s no reason “traditional taxi services” can’t use an app model. > > [Hell, here’s one that probably works in your city.](http://gocurb.com/) > > There’s nothing wrong with having an app. The app is not the basis of my objection. The basis of my objection is that Uber drivers are not _licensed_ like taxi drivers, they are not _insured_ like taxi drivers, their _vehicles_ are not held to the standards that taxis are, they are not vetted or supervised like taxi drivers are, they do not offer guaranteed consisten fares like taxis do, and they operate outside of regulatory schemes specifically designed to limit the number of taxis on the road. That’s just hailing a cab online. It’s not going to make extra cabs materialize when there’s none to send. The problem with peak demand is that it doesn’t make sense for a cab company to buy extra cars and hire extra drivers for occasional spikes in demand. The ridesharing apps by changing the prices with demand can in effect bring in extra cars in when they’re needed, which the traditional cab companies can’t. Also, FTR, Uber has a $1 Million insurance policy that covers their drivers when they’re carrying customers ([cite](https://support.uber.com/hc/en-us/articles/202347808-In-the-US-what-insurance-is-available-if-there-s-an-accident-)), which I think is pretty comparable to what most taxis carry. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/37 "2015-03-03T19:59:23Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > It’s that Uber has a model for responding to peak and slack demand times. And that model is commonly referred to as “price gouging”, which we as a society decided sometime around a century ago it was _in the best interest of the consumer (that’s you!)_ to prohibit. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/38 "2015-03-03T20:02:55Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s nothing wrong with having an app. The app is not the basis of my objection. The basis of my objection is that Uber drivers are not _licensed_ like taxi drivers, they are not _insured_ like taxi drivers, their _vehicles_ are not held to the standards that taxis are, they are not vetted or supervised like taxi drivers are, they do not offer guaranteed consisten fares like taxis do, and they operate outside of regulatory schemes specifically designed to limit the number of taxis on the road. And yet the consumer appears to like the service. Go figure. How about that DeNiro, though? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/39 "2015-03-03T20:03:17Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > That’s just hailing a cab online. It’s not going to make extra cabs materialize when there’s none to send. It won’t materialize Uber drivers that don’t exist, either. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105/40 "2015-03-03T20:04:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > And yet the consumer appears to like the service. Go figure. And the average junkie has nothing but good things to say about his dealer. Is that an argument for legalization? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-uber-alles/714105.md?page=3)