Can anyone share their experiences with Uber?

[holstein13]

I recently started using Uber to get around when my wife is using our one and only vehicle. I get picked up within 4-5 minutes when closer to town and in about 15-20 minutes when I'm at our campground. So far so good.

I'm hoping to see if anyone else has any experiences with this service. Would it be possible to forgo a toad, rental car or taxis using only Uber?

[dieharder]

holstein13 wrote:

dieharder wrote:
Here in Ottawa, Uber driver's are being fined by by-law officers when caught. They are bandit cabs.

Honestly, this seems a bit extreme to me. "Bandit" cabs? That makes it sound as if they are holding up folks at gunpoint. Others mentioned the potential dangers of an unknown driver.

I detect a lot of emotion on this issue so I would like to ask everyone to please share their factual experiences with Uber and not their feelings or emotions about Uber or Lyft.

Particularly, I'm curious what their coverage is outside of metropolitan areas.

It's exactly what they're called - bandit cabs. Taxis operated without a license to do so, regardless of where they're operating. While Uber may conduct their checks and have their requirements, there is absolutely nothing to show that these checks and requirements meet the city requirements where they're operating. In addition, there is very little, if any, recourse if the customer has a bad experience.

Are they just as safe as regular city cabs? Possibly... could be... maybe... but who knows? That's the point. With city cabs, you can read somewhere on the city site what, point by point, what criteria needs to be met to get a license. Does Uber provide this in detail so customers can take this into consideration whether to choose to employ the service or not?

Just as an example: I just signed up as an Uber X driver. The only thing it did was ask me to scan in my driver's license, insurance, registration and proof that I'm eligible to work here. That's it. Got a nice welcome video. No fees, no vetting at all. they have no clue who I am. Do you? I have to believe my city's requirements are more than that.

Again, this is just here in Ottawa, or should I say on our side of the border. I see that Uber does more checks in the US, but not here. While someone may be confident that they'll have a positive experience while using the service in the US, not knowing that they don't do the same checks on this side of the border could put a customer in a position where the person they trust to drive them would not be someone they would trust to do so on the other side.

[RVcircus]

Uber requires BG checks for drivers and your vehicle must meet certain requirements.

http://blog.uber.com/driverscreening

I've used this service in a few different cities and it's been great. I would never recommend that my wife get into a car alone with any stranger...taxi, Uber, or otherwise. I can say for sure that every Uber ride I've taken has been MUCH more pleasant than any of the cabs I've taken over the last few years (maybe ever).

That said, coverage is dependent on location. I don't think relying on Uber will work unless you stick to more populated areas.

[holstein13]

dieharder wrote:
Here in Ottawa, Uber driver's are being fined by by-law officers when caught. They are bandit cabs.

Honestly, this seems a bit extreme to me. "Bandit" cabs? That makes it sound as if they are holding up folks at gunpoint. Others mentioned the potential dangers of an unknown driver.

I detect a lot of emotion on this issue so I would like to ask everyone to please share their factual experiences with Uber and not their feelings or emotions about Uber or Lyft.

Particularly, I'm curious what their coverage is outside of metropolitan areas.

[bukhrn]

After trying to follow this thread, I had to stop, & Google Uber, to see what it is, as I've never heard of it. Guess that's what you get when you live in the country & only been in a taxi about 3 time in my life. 😉

[dieharder]

Here in Ottawa, Uber driver's are being fined by by-law officers when caught. They are bandit cabs.

[Naio]

Cougarnewbie wrote:
No background checks. No safety inspections.

Not true!

I have a friend who drives for Lyft. He and his car both had to go through extensive checks -- and he chose Lyft because Uber is even more stringent (and thus a bit of a hassle).

They won't even consider me, because my car is 15 years old.

The union stuff, and lack of protections for DRIVERS -- I agree that is a big problem.

[planter8]

Used it a dozen time. Way better than a cab. Check them out on the web. Will use them again. Cheaper than a cab and no tipping. No charge for extra passengers.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

One and only experience with Uber when visiting a friend in San Jose, she parked her car and we walked for miles around San Francisco, her hubby working for Apple is a big Uber fan, she ordered an Uber car and WOW. Spotlessly clean, I mentioned I'd love to go down that real windy switch back road like I'd seen on the Streets of San Francisco with Carl Malden - bottom line he took us down there ?Lombard Street, was most professional looking and in mannerisms we had complimentary bottles of water and mints or gum. WOW, how refreshing than the rude and obnoxious, stinky dirty cabs we've been in on occasions.

I can relate to some of the concerns mentioned but have to say I would use them again based on experience in San Fran.

[RinconVTR]

Used it a couple times, works fine until there is high demand, and up goes the price. I slightly prefer normal taxis with a name behind them, but I have no reason to doubt Uber drivers.

And on that note, there are a couple big law suites that may change how drivers are perceived...at employees or contractors. Might change Uber entirely.

[tsetsaf]

Met a full time RVer that is a Uber driver. According to him he submitted to a background check and is covered by company ins while driving. On the other hand the only time my credit card was stolen it was used for Uber.

[Crowe]

No background checks. No safety inspections. In Chicago numerous crimes by drivers.

Ditto in Boston. Taxi drivers are licensed and vetted.

[Ron3rd]

My son has used it several times when he did not want to drive after drinking and is a big fan. Never tried it myself.

[BubbaChris]

I'm indifferent to the safety concerns about Uber compared to taxis. We lost a friend 11 years ago when a taxi driver in Las Vegas made a very poor decision with my friend as one of his passengers.

[Big_Katuna]

I won't use them as they get, keep and share your personal information.
In a taxi you are anonymous.

[westernrvparkow]

There was an analysis published recently that Uber is the lower cost provider only when the taxi ride would be $35 or more. It isn't like those rides are free. If you didn't feel that giving up your personal driver to use taxis and buses was a good idea, I don't see where Uber changes that game significantly. It is available in less places than taxis. And the drivers deliver you from point A to point B, not very good for sightseeing, shopping and the like. If you are going to restrict your RVing to major cities, you are probably fine, but those cities already have public and private for hire transportation services in place. If you want to see the Grand Canyon, Uber won't be there to help.