Taxi Service Uber Is Taking The World By Storm- And Some Aren’t Very Happy About It
Getting somewhere quick and cheap has never been easier thanks to smartphone app Uber, the easy-to-use taxi service that caters to its customers.
Uber was created by Travis Kalanick and Garret Camp in 2009 first expanding across the US and then eventually all over the world. Uber currently runs in over 58 countries and 300 cities internationally.
What makes Uber so successful is its easy-access database- Users access the app and can see local drivers in their area, meaning they can be picked up in under a minute. In fact, the app allows for the user to track their Uber ride right from their smartphones. The app also allows for consumers to pay through the app instead of directly to the driver.
Another feature that makes Uber unique to a regulated taxi service are the drivers. Drivers use their own cars to drive customers around. It doesn’t even take much to get this job; All you need is a license and a background check.
This system allows for quick movement- Instead of taxi’s just driving around looking for random people off the street to pick up, Uber drivers stay in one place until they get a notification for a ride. Less drivers unnecessarily on the road equals easier transportation. Plus, its more environmentally friendly!
Uber has become so popular around the world that many other apps have popped up offering similar services like Lyft, Sidecar and Zipcar.
Although Uber seems like a million dollar idea, a great amount of people are very against the service. Many places around the world will not even allow Uber to operate in their city due to legal and financial reasons.
One reason Uber is opposed is because the taxi industry has since plummeted due to Uber’s success. Taxi medallions (government issued permit) in New York City went from US $1.3 million in 2013 down to US $700,000 in 2015.
Taxi drivers, taxi companies and even the government are extremely upset with Uber’s huge success. Many argue that Uber isn’t fair competition to the taxi industry since Uber doesn’t pay taxes or licensing fees.
In 2015, many protests arose all throughout the world, resulting in Uber being banned in Spain as well as two cities in India. Protests got so bad that Uber drivers were actually attacked by taxi drivers in some countries. Other taxi drivers have blocked roads during rush hour in order to riot against Uber.
Many are against Uber because of its illegitimacy. Drivers are not practicing taxi drivers, and this causes debate over the safety of passengers. There have been multiple cases made against Uber due to accidents involving drivers. Others cases have been made against Uber for illegally operating in cities where Uber is not permitted.
A lawsuit was filed against Uber in California in 2014 because over 30 blind passengers had been denied service. Many have even been verbally and physically abused by drivers due to the ‘inconvienence’. Uber responded by stating that drivers were independent contracters and could not legally oversee the performance. Still, Uber monitors drivers somewhat through the mobile app.
Much of the controversy over Uber consists of safety for consumers, reliability of drivers and the failing taxi industry. Who knew just a little old app could cause such insane uproar?
All in all, Uber is definitely not the most honest company on earth- But what company isn’t a little sneaky? The company definitely has more than a few bugs to work out, but it looks like Uber is driving the taxi industry into the ground.
This major controversy just makes consumers and frequent users excited to see whats next for the company. All they can go is up.