A Much-Needed Truce Between Uber Drivers and Taxis

We've all assisted the consistent growth of Uber. They even expanded their business to the food delivery branch, which has developed more and more throughout the pandemic.

However, we also know how conflicting it was between Uber drivers and cab drivers.

So it was with great curiosity that we approached the possibility of a truce between them in this slogging thread.

This Slogging thread by Sara Pinto, Jack Boreham and Mónica Freitas occurred in slogging's official #random channel, and has been edited for readability.

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:48 PM

Truces between uber drivers and taxis?

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/years-rivalry-uber-puts-nyc-taxi-cabs-app-rcna21428

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:49 PM

"Uber, hit by driver shortages and a surge in food delivery requests during the pandemic, will list New York City taxi cabs on its app, a partnership that until recently would have been unthinkable with both camps fighting ferociously for the same customers."

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:49 PM

"After a period in which waits for an Uber ride grew longer due to a driver shortage, the partnership will boost the number of rides available, and it gives NYC cab drivers access to a massive pool of commuters with an Uber app on their phones."

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:49 PM

"There had been hints tensions between Uber and taxi services had begun to thaw as Uber expanded aggressively into the very lucrative food delivery business and needed a growing supply of delivery drivers."

"During the pandemic, Uber’s food deliveries outpaced rides given to humans as millions sheltered at home. Gross bookings for delivery services at Uber reached $13.4 billion in the final quarter of 2021. That’s compared with $11.3 billion in gross bookings for Uber rides."

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:56 PM

Uber has unstoppable growth. Making this agreement with taxi drivers is a chance to expand even more and for everyone to remain in business. Plus, I believe it allows the cab drivers to gain more opportunities since there's the food delivery business.

Sara PintoMar 29, 2022, 6:57 PM

Jack Boreham Abeer Limarc Ambalina, what are your thoughts on this? Could this backfire? Would you like to see this in your country/city?

Jack BorehamMar 30, 2022, 11:20 AM

Sara Pinto, I definitely do! I hope Uber starts to dominate and get a monopoly. There needs to be a standardized taxi service that is cheap and not dodgy

Sara PintoMar 31, 2022, 5:03 PM

Jack Boreham, I absolutely agree. Uber obligates drivers to follow conduct that brings us safety and quality

Sara PintoMar 31, 2022, 5:03 PM

In my opinion, this is a way to deal with two issues at the same time: the tension with the taxi drivers and their shortage of employees. This is a great solution

Sara PintoMar 31, 2022, 5:05 PM

Right now, in my city in Portugal, I'm seeing fewer Uber drivers as well, so at this point, I wish they applied here too

Mónica FreitasApr 1, 2022, 1:01 PM

Sara Pinto, I guess this will mean fewer fights and tension between Uber drivers and taxis. I like this solution. It helps to control price limits and includes taxi drivers in a market that was pushing them out. Hopefully, this spreads and we get more data; I would like to see the difference this measure made in numbers.

Sara PintoApr 1, 2022, 7:14 PM

Mónica Freitas, exactly my thoughts! I hope other companies step up their game so Uber doesn't fully control the market. There still needs to exist competition, but with companies that operate the same way, such as Bolt

Sara PintoApr 1, 2022, 7:15 PM

Jack Boreham, you wish for a monopoly, but don't you think that would bring disadvantages to the clients?

Mónica FreitasApr 7, 2022, 12:30 PM

Sara Pinto my worry is when it comes to safety. How will these platforms verify their drivers? How can they make sure that it is safe for clients?!

Sara PintoApr 7, 2022, 2:08 PM

Mónica Freitas, we always have the chance to rate and report the drivers. I think that's one of their methods, and as far as I know, it works!

Mónica FreitasApr 8, 2022, 9:44 AM

Sara Pinto, I wonder if there's some previous assessment... Because I do know that for someone to be a taxi driver there's still a bit of bureaucracy involved, which differs from the process of becoming an Uber driver

Mónica FreitasApr 8, 2022, 9:45 AM

Sara Pinto this whole topic is putting the song "Uber driver" from Mischlawi playing nonstop in my head 😂

Sara PintoApr 8, 2022, 12:06 PM

Mónica Freitas, I just checked the Uber driver requirements, and it's quite easy to be one. Since the taxi drivers are entering this company, I assume they maintain this process. They probably won't add any other condition

Mónica FreitasApr 11, 2022, 10:10 AM

Sara Pinto one of the things I remember taxi drivers complaining about was the high fees and taxes they had to pay. Maybe by collaborating with Uber those will decrease. Or maybe there won't be any more taxi drivers and just Uber drivers