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Prism

(5,815 posts)

19. Poor babies can't take their monopoly for granted

Thu Jun 25, 2015, 05:43 PM

Jun 2015

This is my sad face.

Maybe if they provided good service, wide coverage, and efficient product, they'd not be in such trouble.

I'm a San Francisco Uber driver. Before I started (last year), I was a taxi consumer. If I could find one. Without an attitude. In a car that wasn't a filthy wreck.

Uber could pay more. It could do many things. But taxi services took their position for granted. And the medallion system is an absolute joke. Over-priced and entirely dependent on who you know to get one. With artificial supply to boot. And the companies treated their drivers like garbage.

I have some doubts about the sharing economy. But I know Uber has been good to me. And, it's been good to my customers (never had a complaint in my super clean vehicle, my unfailing polite demeanor, safe driving, and efficient route choices). Things like Air BnB are also pretty awesome, IMO.

The world is changing. I'm fine with it.

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pictures from today's Uber riot in Paris [View all] Liberal_in_LA Jun 2015 OP

Well, rioting isn't the answer but Uber is a blight on the world, I think. randome Jun 2015 #1

"I dont need cabs that much myself" - maybe you should talk to people who do. Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #12

This. Ace Rothstein Jun 2015 #52

What I don't understand.... Adrahil Jun 2015 #26

Because medallion owners need cab scarcity Recursion Jun 2015 #33

Yep, you're right I think. Adrahil Jun 2015 #49

'Uber pharmacist, Uber doctor' leftstreet Jun 2015 #2

That last picture says it all frazzled Jun 2015 #5

Yeah, the difference is, you don't need 7 years of medical school Nye Bevan Jun 2015 #6

I don't think that was the point leftstreet Jun 2015 #10

No, I suspect it's about people being pissed off that their monopoly on taxi $$ is threatened. Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #11

as a small business owner who goes through hoops to meet fire and health regulations KittyWampus Jun 2015 #14

Are you familiar with the way taxi service - medallions, etc- is handled in many US cities? Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #15

This. It's a HUGE scam. n/t Adrahil Jun 2015 #28

So regulate them, don't do a corrupt arbitrary medallion system Recursion Jun 2015 #36

Good point, and in America, at least, Uber comes complete with Drivers who attack passengers whathehell Jun 2015 #51

Licensed FR cab drivers pay into the FR Secu system, health, retirement, disability, unemployment Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #16

Fine, I can't speak to the Frech experience- but I DO know that in a lot of US cities Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #22

I agree. It's been a while but I've done loans for taxicab drivers so I've seen some financials. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2015 #31

Meh. The Uber drivers are scabs leftstreet Jun 2015 #18

Rent seeking is not what unions are for Recursion Jun 2015 #37

Try Ho Chi Min City sometime. :>)) pangaia Jun 2015 #53

No, it's rent-seeking medallion owners pissed their gravy train is threatened Recursion Jun 2015 #34

No but you should probably carry adequate insurance gratuitous Jun 2015 #13

How are any of those things different with cab companies? Egnever Jun 2015 #21

Those are the minimum regulations cab companies operate under gratuitous Jun 2015 #24

I am not sure that is true Egnever Jun 2015 #44

most of this article is about a washed up former celebrity. skip to the bottom for any real msongs Jun 2015 #3

yes, thanks Liberal_in_LA Jun 2015 #4

Mail Online omits that the former celebrity was caught riding in a scab cab on strike day. WHOOPSIE Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #20

did they throw cobblestones? msanthrope Jun 2015 #7

K & R. Thanks for the post. Serious event, difficult issue. appalachiablue Jun 2015 #8

France never had a freedom machine seveneyes Jun 2015 #9

France is different Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #17

Poor babies can't take their monopoly for granted Prism Jun 2015 #19

Uh oh. Now you've done it. Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #23

My passengers smack talk cabs all day Prism Jun 2015 #25

I'm glad you're not creepy. I'd ride with you. I hate creepy drivers. bravenak Jun 2015 #29

Is it cultural? Prism Jun 2015 #32

Some drivers are just hella creepy. bravenak Jun 2015 #35

Oh, helllll no Prism Jun 2015 #40

It was Hollywood... bravenak Jun 2015 #41

Here's an example of what happens with our "legitimate" cab companies, here. Warren DeMontague Jun 2015 #47

Disgusting! bravenak Jun 2015 #48

I have used uber since my husband passed eighteen months ago Mojorabbit Jun 2015 #43

Sorry, but you're part of the problem. philosslayer Jun 2015 #54

Give me taxis or give me death! Renew Deal Jun 2015 #27

You can have them yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #30

Ethnic Black and Brown French Union Labor workers go on Strike. DU yawns. Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #38

Good for the cabbies. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #39

Cabs in France are a private cartel using government influence to seek rents Recursion Jun 2015 #50

Any other unions you're opposed to? philosslayer Jun 2015 #55

NFL owners. MLB owners. Capital cartels in general Recursion Jun 2015 #56

One mans opinion, Rec. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #57

Did he own his own medallion? Recursion Jun 2015 #58

I dont care if taxis strike Travis_0004 Jun 2015 #42

Working class unions? Codeine Jun 2015 #45

Uber is union-busting. DemocraticWing Jun 2015 #46

Then taxis need to do a better job christx30 Oct 2015 #59