The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

silvercar

I have failed as a parent. DD1 is going on a french exchange, staying in an apartment and remarked 'I can't stay there, there are 4 in the family plus me and there are only 2 bathrooms!'

:rotfl:

You'll end up with a princess.

Pyxis

silvercar wrote: »

I disagree. Uber is cheaper than rivals, there are people who use them who would otherwise walk or use the tube. They also increase availability in certain areas, so if Uber can send someone in 5 minutes or a cab in 20 or a 30 minute walk, Uber wins. Without Uber that business may be lost.

But aren't they cheaper as a result of their drivers not being properly paid? Or because it would be more costly to implement the correct regulations?

If so, that's not much of an advantage, really.

Doozergirl

Pyxis wrote: »

But aren't they cheaper as a result of their drivers not being properly paid? Or because it would be more costly to implement the correct regulations?

If so, that's not much of an advantage, really.

I think there's a sweet spot to be hit where people aren't exploited, taxes are paid and processes are satisfactory to the PCO. Uber is ridiculously cheap. We always top up with a hefty tip. It may not be the same in London, but where I am, the drivers are really happy. They don't have the gaps in time of distance between jobs - they can literally drop off and pick up straight away, putting more money in the pocket.

I think there are a couple of other Apps available (may need to find out what they are and if I were still working around the London Taxi Trade and aware of what had been going on, I'd have been working very hard to come up with a fair alternative.

GDB2222

silvercar wrote: »

I disagree. Uber is cheaper than rivals, there are people who use them who would otherwise walk or use the tube. They also increase availability in certain areas, so if Uber can send someone in 5 minutes or a cab in 20 or a 30 minute walk, Uber wins. Without Uber that business may be lost.

I checked the price of a journey on Uber, and our local minicab company was about 10% cheaper. I booked in advance, and the local company were bang on time, whereas Uber give themselves 15 minutes leeway.

When they started, uber were much cheaper, but I think less so now.

Uber's big advantage is the volume of work for the drivers, plus the wide geographical spread, so drivers are less likely to be travelling back empty from a drop-off. The local companies could network together to provide that, too, if they would get their fingers out.

Edit: Oops, looks like DG said the same, but 20 minutes earlier.

michaels

Pyxis wrote: »

But aren't they cheaper as a result of their drivers not being properly paid? Or because it would be more costly to implement the correct regulations?

If so, that's not much of an advantage, really.

Do Uber drivers earn less than those working for the dodgy local minicab co?

re they vetted any differently? (I believe TFL vet the drivers not the cab companies).

How much per hour should someone with the skills needed to be a taxi driver earn compared to say a supermarket shelf stacker?

I assume all Uber trips go through the books and are taxed properly, is this the case for mincabs or black cabs?

Are black cabs required to provide change, accept credit cards or take on all trips regardless of destination?

michaels

silvercar wrote: »

:rotfl:

You'll end up with a princess.

She made it clear on the exchange form that 2 showers a day was her minimum expectation and that she 'needed' her own room. I also worry that traveling with only one suitcase for a week may be beyond her....

silvercar

michaels wrote: »

Do Uber drivers earn less than those working for the dodgy local minicab co? I expect not, otherwise they would all work for the dodgy local minicab firm.

re they vetted any differently? (I believe TFL vet the drivers not the cab companies). They are all vetted, I thought the vetting was now outsourced by tfl. Black cabbies are vetted by a different organisation that claims to be more stringent.

How much per hour should someone with the skills needed to be a taxi driver earn compared to say a supermarket shelf stacker? more. They need to have a clean driving licence and some people skills and pass vetting, as well as the running costs of a car.

I assume all Uber trips go through the books and are taxed properly, is this the case for mincabs or black cabs? I would think all go through legitimately, but tips won't be on the books. Uber drivers aren't generally tipped.
They are more keen on high star ratings.

Are black cabs required to provide change, accept credit cards or take on all trips regardless of destination?I thought so.

My answers are based on my kids experience of uber. They say they actually take an uber far more than they ever took a cab.

Pyxis

michaels wrote: »

She made it clear on the exchange form that 2 showers a day was her minimum expectation and that she 'needed' her own room. I also worry that traveling with only one suitcase for a week may be beyond her....

2 showers a day minimum?

That's a lot of showering.
Why would she need more than two a day?
(I mean, in the absence of any very hot weather, etc.).

Unless you're going out every evening, why would you even need two? (Very hot weather excepted again).

No wonder your water bills are so high, Michaels! )

michaels

Pyxis wrote: »

2 showers a day minimum?

That's a lot of showering.
Why would she need more than two a day?
(I mean, in the absence of any very hot weather, etc.).

Unless you're going out every evening, why would you even need two? (Very hot weather excepted again).

No wonder your water bills are so high, Michaels! )

True, extra showers are only for hot weather or sporting activities or prior to going out in the evening.....

Just went out and crossed the road, the pedestrian light was on red but I wasn't between the studs. Once others had crossed but while the light was still red the car at the lights drove through the red light revving loudly swerving round me on the wrong side of the road...then stopping 10 feet further down the road as there was a traffic jam.

I approached and suggested that regardless of where I was crossing the lady driving still needed to wait for the light to change from red before proceeding which earned me a large amount of cussing from the middle aged driver and her elderly mother in the passenger seat. And I thought St Albans was a nice town.

PasturesNew

I think "taking taxis everywhere" is something only the wealthier do, or those in London/similar.

For "most people" elsewhere I bet they "only take a taxi for a special trip/an event/something unusual".

I could count ALL the taxis I've had on the fingers of both hands.... it'd have only been one hand required except I've been "made to" take a taxi or two over the years.

I was last "made to" have one when I went for a mate's birthday gathering - and her sibling/wife were staying at hers ... and, after a night in a pub they wanted to get a taxi back to hers.... I thought we were walking, it was only a mile. I think 1 mile can often cost £10-15....

And, once, I stopped a taxi to go 2 miles in a city about 1am and when he found out where I wanted to go, he refused and drove off. I wasn't going "far enough" people suggested.

I usually just drive. £1-2 for fuel, £1-2 for parking - and I can go home when I like!