Taxi Driver Online

Uber is a hit with Bristol customers, but taxis are proving harder to book



The technology is in place and 30,000 Bristol customers have downloaded the Uber app to get quick, cashless and cheap taxis.

But following the company's launch in the city, there seems to be one big problem – not enough cars.

Uber came to Bristol on Friday and it was hailed as the global company 'getting serious in the UK'.

But already people have taken to Twitter, frustrated with the lack of drivers picking up in the city.

Jonny McCormick wrote: "Uber in Bristol needs wayyy more drivers stat."

Nigel Groom posted a picture of the company's website stating 'no cars available' and added: "C'mon @Uber Bristol!!! First ride was fine, but this is getting a joke now."

Bristol has become the first city in the South West to get the controversial service, in the same month as it launches in Sheffield.

Users download a free app to their phone, order a cab to their exact location and can see their car make their way to the pick-up point in real time.

It is marketed as a 'cheaper, more convenient and safer way to travel' with prices said to be 20 per cent lower than private hire firms or Hackney cabs. Customers also pay via an online account so don't need cash.

But the system relies on drivers, who do not work set shifts, signing up as Uber, describes itself as an "online platform" connecting riders and drivers rather than a transport provider.

A spokesman for the company said 30,000 people in Bristol had downloaded the Uber app in the run up to the launch.

But he explained that Friday was the first day of the service for the drivers as well as users.

And despite the company having hundreds of requests from drivers prior to the launch, paperwork had to be completed before they got on the road app.

"We do not tell our drivers how or when to work and there is not a minimum number of hours they have to drive for – that is up to them," he said.

"We have been blown away by the number of people requesting taxis, but as we grow we hope the driver side will match it.

"Whenever we launch we have a huge demand, but supply is harder to predict. Hopefully over the next few days things will start to settle.

"Give it a few more days and we will get closure to meeting the demand with more drivers on the roads."

The Bristol Post carried out a 24 hour experiment to see if it could get a taxi through newly-launched Uber.

On 25 occasions throughout the day, and from a variety of locations, we looked to see if any cars were available for hire.

On just three of the 25 checks we made, were there any cabs available anywhere in the city.

Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Uber-hit-B ... z3cguE4xzz
Follow us: @BristolPost on Twitter | bristolpost on Facebook

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

interesting comments from the article;



bulbous | June 10 2015, 5:49PM


rovers it pees us decent drivers off too, problem is the council only have a team of 4 enforcers to check these rats out


 |  0

Report


Profile image for Rovers1990


Rovers1990 | June 10 2015, 2:55PM


@capt_cabbie If all cab drivers did what you did then I don't think there would be a problem mate as your doing the right thing. I think the argument is that now a days rip off merchants charge £30.00/£35.00 for a 3/4 mile trip for a bunch of drunken lads after a good night out....then they are either pocketing the money or sending it back home....i.e. overseas.....


 |  7

Report


Profile image for capt_cabbie


capt_cabbie | June 10 2015, 1:57PM


Bulbous I can guarantee that Über are NOT using out of town drivers. Other major companies are I agree. I also agree that they've no local knowledge. Joekingswood. There are haters everywhere. You are casting aspersions on a whole profession when I doubt YOU personally have any evidence to support your accusations. I for 1 pay tax on everything I take so please do not say otherwise unless you have proof or are just another hater. To all. Would you leave your current employer & work for a third of what you were getting at your original company whilst incurring more expenses. Please do not think that every cabbie is a crook. I am a small business trying to compete with Über (yes I did try it too) for customers. I offer a fabulous service but I do not force people to use my services. It's a choice thing. I agree there are crooks in taxi driving but there are people who take advantage of situations in every field from judges to police to clergy. Why should taxi driving be any different. Excusing the pun I would never dream of taking anybody for a ride. What I charge is the legitimate fare whether fixed fare (to Bristol airport or Heathrow) or to kingswood bedminster or Clifton which is on my private hire meter. If you don't wish to pay the cost then don't use a cab. Simples


 |  -3

Report


Profile image for bulbous


bulbous | June 10 2015, 11:39AM


no 3plus, if uber works or fails thats buisness, im jarred off as a cabbie that out of town plated cars will sign up to it and have no local knowledge [ been tested], still if people are happy with that then thats their choice i suppose


 |  1

Report


Profile image for 3plus5


3plus5 | June 10 2015, 10:51AM


What is the problem with you guys, if Uber fails then that's it, its failed but the under lying worry here is your worried that Uber is going to put an end to you taking Bristolians for a ride, forgive the pun.


 |  0

Report


Profile image for JoeKingswood


JoeKingswood | June 10 2015, 10:29AM


Cash has no trail, Uber or card payments do. Think TAX! That's why there are no drivers. Cash in hand, cash in pocket.


 |  5

Report


Profile image for FromMendip


FromMendip | June 10 2015, 9:42AM


Did Uber pay for this advertisement?


 |  1

Report


Profile image for capt_cabbie


capt_cabbie | June 10 2015, 8:42AM


I would also like to add that not all drivers are rip off merchants although I accept they exist. Yes I do pay all my taxes on tips as well as fares. There are professional companies in Bristol but trying to get things cheap isn't always cheap. Most companies offer a good service some don't. If you don't like the service you've received then complain firstly to the company then the council. There are systems in place to do this. There are customers & drivers who take liberties at times & it's not always the driver at fault.


 |  -4

Report


Profile image for capt_cabbie


capt_cabbie | June 10 2015, 8:30AM


I think this will be an ongoing problem for Über. As the fares are so cheap drivers are choosing to work for other companies. Über can have thousands of customers waiting for cars but if they've no drivers they've no business. Why do £3-£4 jobs when I can do £10 having used less fuel travelled a smaller distance to pick up passengers & been paid immediately. I'm a (small) business at the end of the day.



Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Uber-hit-B ... z3cgv4NgNt
Follow us: @BristolPost on Twitter | bristolpost on Facebook

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin