Uber. What are the advantages over a regular taxi company?

56 replies

JMSA · 01/04/2023 04:27

Ordered an Uber this morning, as I am travelling and had to make a connection. It was too early for buses and I don't normally travel by taxi, but thought I'd give Uber a try. The price was fine and I clicked confirm. Received a message to say the driver had arrived.
Go outside and wait a minute but there's no sign of him. I get in touch and he's miles away. He advises me to cancel my end, which I do. I promptly book another Uber, which has now doubled in price. Not only that, I've discovered that Uber has charged me a cancellation fee for the first one! I've disputed that but the money has been credited to my Uber account, rather than my original payment method.
Am I missing something, or is it just a bit crap unless you happen to get lucky?

OP posts:

JorisBonson · 02/04/2023 10:21

Hadalifeonce · 01/04/2023 15:52

My local taxi company text me the reg and name of my driver, and an approximate arrival time.

So does Uber.

I've also set it up so my trips automatically share with my husband, and he can see where I am in real time.

StepAwayFromTheBiscuitJar · 03/04/2023 00:45

I'm near a big city in the Midlands and I find it a million times better than a taxi. I'm usually up 5am and sometimes need to get a taxi over to collect a truck from the workshop.

I used to call a local taxi firm and it would always be a 25 min wait. Uber has never been more than five mins. Also had to get back from town centre one night and got a taxi as phone battery dead. Cost £25 whilst Uber is usually about £14.

DoggoCEO · 03/04/2023 00:55

We’ve had hundreds of Ubers and never had an issue, so I’d guess the issue you had isn’t common but nothing is without any problems.

EmmaEmerald · 03/04/2023 01:04

Local taxi firm for me
they do all the app stuff, I don't use it
I pay in cash
I still get a text, reg, photo of driver and tracking of where they are
they're friendly and helpful and reliable, I've known them for years

I'm moving to mum's area and the local cabbies there have taken my olds to hospital loads, always been helpful and reliable

I think local cab firms are a key part of local community.

QuickCakeQuestn · 03/04/2023 01:09

Mariposa26 · 01/04/2023 06:45

for me, it used to be hugely more reliable, quick and efficient. What you’re describing now is how it has ended up. As soon as there is a “surge” (which is often, as there are no longer enough drivers), your driver will cancel your trip in order to rebook at a higher rate which is fair enough for them. I barely use it now, it’s rubbish.

I thought they’d done away with surge pricing? It’s all just flat fares now?

suburbophobe · 03/04/2023 09:27

^Less safe for you as well.

How is uber less safe?^

I'd like to know this as well @L3ThirtySeven

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