I disagree, all those issues you pointed out are there with a normal taxi as well. However, what Uber has done for passengers is that drastically reduce the probability of getting scammed or abused by drivers.
Try getting a taxi in a country as a tourist where uber doesn’t operate and I bet 99% of the time you would get scammed or charged twice or three times as the normal cost of the ride
Thai taxis are notorious for off meter fares, but a savvy tourist can avoid them mostly (flag down a cab, don't take one waiting for you or worse, offering a ride).
I've made it work for me when the legit cabs had a long wait - I offered an off meter fare and I got instant service.
I once calculated the fare using a taxi fare site and the verbal off meter rate was lower than the estimated one. I gave him the higher rate.
Off meter isn't so black or white, that said I always prefer uber or similar regional cabs.
I had overall much better experience with taxis in Barcelona than Uber anywhere else it operates (I mostly use it in SoCal). One time I missed last train and had to use a taxi - driver multiple times asked if I understand that it will be 50-60 euros because of how far it is.
Taxis in Da Nang, Vietnam were also nice, but there were all arranged by the hotel, so that's probably why.
The opposite experience anywhere in the US. Taxi accepting credit card still a surprise for me.
Comments
I disagree, all those issues you pointed out are there with a normal taxi as well. However, what Uber has done for passengers is that drastically reduce the probability of getting scammed or abused by drivers.
Try getting a taxi in a country as a tourist where uber doesn’t operate and I bet 99% of the time you would get scammed or charged twice or three times as the normal cost of the ride
Thai taxis are notorious for off meter fares, but a savvy tourist can avoid them mostly (flag down a cab, don't take one waiting for you or worse, offering a ride).
I've made it work for me when the legit cabs had a long wait - I offered an off meter fare and I got instant service.
I once calculated the fare using a taxi fare site and the verbal off meter rate was lower than the estimated one. I gave him the higher rate.
Off meter isn't so black or white, that said I always prefer uber or similar regional cabs.
I had overall much better experience with taxis in Barcelona than Uber anywhere else it operates (I mostly use it in SoCal). One time I missed last train and had to use a taxi - driver multiple times asked if I understand that it will be 50-60 euros because of how far it is.
Taxis in Da Nang, Vietnam were also nice, but there were all arranged by the hotel, so that's probably why.
The opposite experience anywhere in the US. Taxi accepting credit card still a surprise for me.