Are Companies like Uber Killing the Cab Trade

Uber Killing

Taxi firms are a business like any other. Though they may be more mobile in their operations, they still need to entice an audience, build a customer base and draw in a profit. Moreover, like other companies they have competitors, if they want to grow and succeed they need to stay ahead of them. Availability equates to dependability, and when your rivals have more resources, things can begin to take a turn for the taxi firm.

This is where Uber comes in. They entered the industry and have begun to push out their competitors in certain areas. But how are they achieving this, and are they killing the cab trade completely? Here’s a quick summary on what’s happening here.

Fast Match

If you’re wandering past a train station, you will frequently see numerous taxis lining up and waiting for potential passengers. Generally, you are unlikely to see an Uber there doing the same. This is because the taxi driver must patiently wait for the customer to spot and approach them. Of course, Uber doesn’t do things this way.

Uber has a thriving online presence, enabling customers to tap their screens and book a ride. This means that hoping for a ride is swapped out with guaranteeing a ride, meaning more and more people use the app. After all, on a wet and windy day, waiting for a taxi to stop by can be a real inconvenience. Consequently, Uber is always busy, and the taxi rarely sits stationary and empty.

Vehicle Choice

Regular taxi firms prefer to use vehicles provided by the company. Each driver will have an assigned car from a fleet of vehicles, and cruise around in some mundane and uninspired vehicles. They can be rather dreary and depressing, and don’t really scream quality service. Nevertheless, the common taxi driver must make do.

However, so long as an Uber driver has a private licence, they are free to use any vehicle at their disposal. Some of them utilise specialist companies to help them find a suitable new or used taxi, giving them a broader range of vehicles to work with. After all, more options allows an Uber driver to provide a more high end service. Ultimately, this helps Uber stand out from regular looking cars, allowing them to add a bit of nuance and finesse to their services.

A Polarizing Enterprise

ly has its fair share of pros. Still, while many people believe the firm to be convenient, cheap, stylish and easy, others think it doesn’t conform to the rules. Consequently, Uber has been labelled a polarising enterprise by some, doing enough to attract more than a few critics. Obviously, this has more far reaching issues than having an accessible app or a fancier car than a taxi.

In recent times, Uber experienced an abundance of controversy in London, surrounding safety concerns for passengers and an unsustainable business model. While their licencing has been brought into question, taxis generally don’t experience this amount of citywide criticism. They’ve operated for many years, and people trust them. For the most part, Hull taxi firm play by the book, whereas some are becoming worried that Uber have thrown the book out completely. In the end, this negative press could well keep taxi’s trucking along for a while yet.

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