Uber has been a very reliable rude source for me.

[July]

I live in a big northeastern city, and I used to use city cabs. The difference between Uber and city cabs is significant.

While I have had cab rides with polite, knowledgeable drivers, there has been no comparison with Uber drivers.

The black cars are clean, the drivers are polite, and I can see where they are on the way to my pickup location. You should be abe to find their rating, and it's also in your interest to give the driver a 5-star rating (they also rate you, and if your rating gets too low, you can get booted).

You are given the make and license number of the car when you call for one, and the driver will normally ask your name to verify you are the person s/he contracted with. I also check the driver's name, given when you arrange the ride, with him/her. (I have had Uber drivers tell me of their experiences with people trying to steal someone else's ride.)

You or the driver can cancel, but it should be done in a timely manner. You can directly call the driver, as I did after incorrectly directing him to the wrong location.

FWIW,I have never had a bad Uber experience, and I use Uber frequently. I have only used the "Black car" option, so I can't speak to Uber X or whatever else is out there.

All the drivers I have had have been extremely polite and helpful, including when we needed help with heavy suitcases. Some are chatty, others not, but many where I live are immigrants, and most will talk if you are interested about their own Uber experience, their home countries, and much else (the potholes, our sports teams, their kids's schools). A world of difference from the cruddy cabs and surly drivers in this city's taxis.

As I no longer drive, I find Uber very helpful.