Uber and Public Transport

[Justin Tyme]

Some of you may recall that some bus chiefs (such as Brian Souter of Stagecoach) have talked about the threat that Uber could be to urban bus services.

The BBC News website has this article about how Uber has become the 'operator' of choice for a few towns in the USA: -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38252405

In particular, note that in one town local politicians "realised" that in lightly-populated areas it was cheaper to subsidise Uber journeys by 50% than it was to extend a bus route, and that another town "has all but done away with public transport altogether, instead subsidising all Uber trips in the town by at least 20%".

Could it happen here?  Not in exactly the same way.  Our Freedom of Information Act and other legislation would not allow Councils here to allow Uber to keep public-funded transport usage figures confidential, and the Disability Discrimination Act would prevent disabled people from being left behind.  Also, some Councils have stopped subsidising buses altogether, so wouldn't have funds for an Uber operation.  But I expect Uber could well be looking at how to provide some similar kind of operation in the UK that would comply with our laws.

[Tony]

Some of you may recall that some bus chiefs (such as Brian Souter of Stagecoach) have talked about the threat that Uber could be to urban bus services.

The BBC News website has this article about how Uber has become the 'operator' of choice for a few towns in the USA: -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38252405

In particular, note that in one town local politicians "realised" that in lightly-populated areas it was cheaper to subsidise Uber journeys by 50% than it was to extend a bus route, and that another town "has all but done away with public transport altogether, instead subsidising all Uber trips in the town by at least 20%".

Could it happen here?  Not in exactly the same way.  Our Freedom of Information Act and other legislation would not allow Councils here to allow Uber to keep public-funded transport usage figures confidential, and the Disability Discrimination Act would prevent disabled people from being left behind.  Also, some Councils have stopped subsidising buses altogether, so wouldn't have funds for an Uber operation.  But I expect Uber could well be looking at how to provide some similar kind of operation in the UK that would comply with our laws.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/uber-drivers-accused-of-32-rapes-and-sex-attacks-on-london-passengers-a7037926.html

How many London Bus drivers have a similar complaint against them?

[WMT3000]

I really can't see Uber threatening bus services in this country in the same way. For a start taxis/Uber cars are far cheaper in America due to different regulation and more competition, even in outlying areas. In this country Uber drivers charge up to c.£4/mile so even with a hefty subsidy of say 50%, a three mile one-way journey would cost £6. I don't think people would want to pay that much, even taking into account the fact that it would be doorstep to destination.

In addition, Uber's reputation seems to be becoming more and more tarnished, as illustrated by the article which @Tony has posted the link to.

[Kevin]

I think the only threat it poses to "normal" public transport is in the evening, people who go out and spend most of the time on their phone anyway so Uber is a natural progression for them and their way home, save the usual questions of "when's the bus" to people like me who always use them

I've got a friend who uses it a lot and every time we go to the pub together he gets on Uber and says things like "there's one that will get us home for £6". My response is always "or you can get the 11 for a fraction of that"

[GeminiFan1991]

What constitutes as minimum fare on Uber/ Taxi doesn't really compare to something like a Daysaver. Assuming minimum fare is around £2 - £4, it will only get you so far before they add on XX per mile. A £4 daysaver allows you to travel the county all day regardless of miles used up.

A Taxi/ Uber is only really good if it's short term before the cost far exceeds bus travel. Most people who criticise buses don't really bother paying attention to timetables and assume it should be due when they need it. They'll happily wait 10+ minutes for a Taxi and pay a comparatively extortionate fee but if a bus is 5 minutes late, their like "Bloody Buses".

[BusFan94]

I used a taxi once sometime in 2014 I came back from Birmingham on the 51. It was a Sunday I think Easter Sunday I had just missed the 34 home and had wait an hour for the next bus to Darlaston. So I walked to the taxi area at Bradford Place Bus Station in Walsall. I got in the cab we followed the bus route into Darlaston it cost around £20 it was cheaper to get the 39 to Darlaston and I wouldn't have minded the Walk or the hour wait than not waiting an hour and getting dropped outside my house.

But many peoples view of the bus is it should turn up on time, they get a seat and it not be full. When it is late and full people don't get on even though there are a few seats left because they think it is full of Scumbags and Tramps so they get a taxi.

[Lukeee]

I find the only time taxis can have the upper hand is when there's a few people going out somewhere (for example the pub) as they tend to split the fare between everyone, for example £8 fare for 4 passengers would be cheaper than the bus, however for longer distances than a few miles or if you area travelling alone the bus is a much cheaper option.

The problem however can be some people are often to lazy to consider the bus at it involves walking/checking timetables/finding correct fare etc so unfortunately there will always be a minority that won't even consider the bus despite it usually been the most cost effective option

[Tony]

I used a taxi once sometime in 2014 I came back from Birmingham on the 51. It was a Sunday I think Easter Sunday I had just missed the 34 home and had wait an hour for the next bus to Darlaston. So I walked to the taxi area at Bradford Place Bus Station in Walsall. I got in the cab we followed the bus route into Darlaston it cost around £20 it was cheaper to get the 39 to Darlaston and I wouldn't have minded the Walk or the hour wait than not waiting an hour and getting dropped outside my house.

But many peoples view of the bus is it should turn up on time, they get a seat and it not be full. When it is late and full people don't get on even though there are a few seats left because they think it is full of Scumbags and Tramps so they get a taxi.

£20 Walsall to Darlaston?  I think he saw you coming,  there's no way his meter would go that high

[GeminiFan1991]

£20 Walsall to Darlaston?  I think he saw you coming,  there's no way his meter would go that high

I get the feeling different companies have their meters set differently.

I live in Stechford and I used to work in Shirley, before I made my pass I used to pay for a daysaver which I found good as I was working limited days at the time but on a Sunday I used to work early before the buses used to go out so I had to take a Taxi before I used to get a lift and I used to routinely pay upwards of £10 but on 1 return journey it was £20 !

[Dom]

I get the feeling different companies have their meters set differently.

I live in Stechford and I used to work in Shirley, before I made my pass I used to pay for a daysaver which I found good as I was working limited days at the time but on a Sunday I used to work early before the buses used to go out so I had to take a Taxi before I used to get a lift and I used to routinely pay upwards of £10 but on 1 return journey it was £20 !

Yeah but mate honestly £20 for that journey is a piss take. Simple as. But if you're a big enough mug you'll pay it. or make up some bullshit story about it ;)

[Stuharris 6360]

He said he thought it was Easter Sunday so maybe the cab company were charging double, who knows?

[Tony]

I get the feeling different companies have their meters set differently.

I live in Stechford and I used to work in Shirley, before I made my pass I used to pay for a daysaver which I found good as I was working limited days at the time but on a Sunday I used to work early before the buses used to go out so I had to take a Taxi before I used to get a lift and I used to routinely pay upwards of £10 but on 1 return journey it was £20 !

The council set the fares, and all taxis have to charge the same rate, and it must be what is displayed on the council calibrated meter