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From a technological standpoint, there are many reasons why I feel excited and lucky to be alive during this time in history. But smarter safer transportation,

From a technological standpoint, there are many reasons why I feel excited and lucky to be alive during this time in history. But smarter safer transportation, spearheaded by companies like Google and Uber, tops the list.

beggi 12y ago
How is Uber safer?
- clarkm 12y ago
  It reduces drunk driving.
  - k-mcgrady 12y ago
    ...taxis already do that.
    - clarkm 12y ago
      Yes, but outside major metros, people don't take taxis. But for some reason they'll take Uber. Or at least they're starting to.
      - jonursenbach 12y ago
        Uber doesn't exist outside major metro areas. https://www.uber.com/cities https://www.uber.com/cities
        clarkm 12y ago
        I guess "dense urban centers" would have been more clear, but my point is the same. Uber operates in a lot of places where people don't take cabs.
    - pinkyand 12y ago
      UBER is reducing prices through both unfair and fair(ride sharing fr ex.) means.
    - brk 12y ago
      Not really. I use Uber pretty regularly when traveling for a ride home from a night out. It's consistent, reliable, and I don't have to worry about the driver trying to take advantage of the fact that I might be unfamiliar with the area and possibly not in my most aware state :) If it's cold, dark, whatever outside I can call an Uber via the app and know when they're arriving. I can see how long the expected delay is to plan wrapping things up accordingly. My experience with Taxi's in most of the major US markets is that coverage is spotty, fares can be variable, credit-card acceptance is hit or miss, and the cars and drivers are generally sub-par. Comparing taxi's to Uber is like comparing a model rocket to the Space X program.
      - k-mcgrady 12y ago
        I'm not from the US so my view on taxis might be different. Typically I call a number and they have someone there in 10 minutes. It's rare to be taken advantage of because they know you can make a complaint to the taxi company they work for. As for cash I don't think anyone here minds. If you don't have cash on you the taxi driver will stop at an ATM for you. I've used Uber once and it was great but from my experience with taxis Uber isn't offering much extra.
hawkharris 12y ago
...Wow. I appreciate HN, but I'm really put off the negativity sometimes.

beggi 12y ago

How is Uber safer?

clarkm 12y ago
It reduces drunk driving.
- k-mcgrady 12y ago
  ...taxis already do that.
  - clarkm 12y ago
    Yes, but outside major metros, people don't take taxis. But for some reason they'll take Uber. Or at least they're starting to.
    - jonursenbach 12y ago
      Uber doesn't exist outside major metro areas. https://www.uber.com/cities https://www.uber.com/cities
      - clarkm 12y ago
        I guess "dense urban centers" would have been more clear, but my point is the same. Uber operates in a lot of places where people don't take cabs.
  - pinkyand 12y ago
    UBER is reducing prices through both unfair and fair(ride sharing fr ex.) means.
  - brk 12y ago
    Not really. I use Uber pretty regularly when traveling for a ride home from a night out. It's consistent, reliable, and I don't have to worry about the driver trying to take advantage of the fact that I might be unfamiliar with the area and possibly not in my most aware state :) If it's cold, dark, whatever outside I can call an Uber via the app and know when they're arriving. I can see how long the expected delay is to plan wrapping things up accordingly. My experience with Taxi's in most of the major US markets is that coverage is spotty, fares can be variable, credit-card acceptance is hit or miss, and the cars and drivers are generally sub-par. Comparing taxi's to Uber is like comparing a model rocket to the Space X program.
    - k-mcgrady 12y ago
      I'm not from the US so my view on taxis might be different. Typically I call a number and they have someone there in 10 minutes. It's rare to be taken advantage of because they know you can make a complaint to the taxi company they work for. As for cash I don't think anyone here minds. If you don't have cash on you the taxi driver will stop at an ATM for you. I've used Uber once and it was great but from my experience with taxis Uber isn't offering much extra.

hawkharris 12y ago

...Wow. I appreciate HN, but I'm really put off the negativity sometimes.