Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Walked to the Subaru parking lot by the 39th station. Requested a car. It showed up in 5 minutes.

I was really hoping this story ended up with the driver being in a Subaru with the dealer plates on.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by accord1999

I use the CRA figure as an estimate of what it costs to drive (and not for any tax purposes). It's high for the average sedan but it's not really out of line compared to CAA estimates, or for Uber drivers using nice vehicles like the A4 mentioned earlier. I also use 30c/km to show potential earnings with a lower cost vehicle.

Okay, that makes more sense, you were using that figure to simplify the calculation for your example, I initially misunderstood.

[blueski]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If you are considering driving, I highly recommend browsing this forum:
http://uberpeople.net/
If you want to convince yourself not to drive, read the "quit" section. It's rather enlightening, particularly on unforeseen costs. Oh, and drivers do expect tips, there is a whole thread for that, and how to guilt your customers into tipping more.

Wow, that was fun to read thanks. Here's a gem:http://uberpeople.net/threads/after-...er-scum.22386/

A lot of other threads echo his sentiments. Pays a lot at first but after a few months, the rates go down and the market is saturated with Uber drivers willing to make less than min wage.

Edit: this one takes it: http://uberpeople.net/threads/quitti...th-uber.36017/

[gasman]

Originally Posted by para transit fellow

If an Uber driver is doing the background check from a website like backcheck.ca , then they are probably not exposed to the vulnerable sector check where your finger prints are take to prove that you don't have any arrests/ convictions of sexual assault.

It is apparent to me that Uber's biggest problems have little to do with the City of Calgary taxiplates or livery services bylaw.

1) drivers may working for hire without the appropriate licence. A class 5 licence is for personal driving. Class 4, 2 or 1 allows you to drive passengers for hire. Anyone operating a taxi anywhere in Alberta has to have this licence

2) Vulnerable sector check. if you go for a police check to your local station and they find out you are driving seniors or kids, the cops insist on the vulnerable sector check. Any taxi company in alberta (Town or city) could take kids or seniors at any time.

3) Provincial insurance requirements remain unmet (as per Alberta superintendent of Insurance).

Uber seems has convinced us that the City of Calgary is at fault for presenting barriers to implementation of Uber. In reality, Uber is pulling a fast one on the provincial regs.

I just had a vulnerable sector check done by cps so that I can volunteer at my kids school (elementary school). There were no fingerprint scans, in fact I did the whole thing from my computer in the comfort of my living room, on the cps website.

[gasman]

I took uber twice yesterday, to get to and from a Company party. Both ubers came within 5 minutes of the request (one at 7:30 in the evening and one at 1am), cars were clean, drivers were super friendly, asking if the temperature was ok, what radio we wanted to listen to, carrying a pleasant conversation for the ride.

This morning I received two detailed receipts, to my email, including the route, trip time, cost, etc. Perfect for my expense report.

there was another couple at the party who took cabs and they had to wait upwards of 45minutes for a taxi. And because they were going to chestermere they even got flat out refused by at least one cab company.

uber might not be perfect, but it is a breath of fresh air compared to the taxis in Calgary (literally and figuratively). Once they get their issues worked out this is going to benefit people greatly.

[PsYcNeT]

Took Uber home from a bar in Shawnessey all the way to Harvest Hills last night.

Driver showed up in 2 minutes after I requested it, and with my $20 referral coupon the total was 26.50, for what would have been normally a $75+ cab ride that I would have waited 30-45m for.

#### taxis, Uber is much better, holy crap.

[Chingyul]

Originally Posted by gasman

I took uber twice yesterday, to get to and from a Company party. Both ubers came within 5 minutes of the request (one at 7:30 in the evening and one at 1am), cars were clean, drivers were super friendly, asking if the temperature was ok, what radio we wanted to listen to, carrying a pleasant conversation for the ride.

This morning I received two detailed receipts, to my email, including the route, trip time, cost, etc. Perfect for my expense report.

there was another couple at the party who took cabs and they had to wait upwards of 45minutes for a taxi. And because they were going to chestermere they even got flat out refused by at least one cab company.

uber might not be perfect, but it is a breath of fresh air compared to the taxis in Calgary (literally and figuratively). Once they get their issues worked out this is going to benefit people greatly.

Interesting it was for a company event. I wonder if any companies have set policy allowing or not allowing Uber for work travel.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Took Uber twice this weekend. Amazing service both times. There within 5 minutes. Clean, nice cars. Pleasant drivers, one even offered me water.

I also noticed at around 1:30 am there was cans to be had everyone downtown. It would appear that the Uber threat has the cabs on the road during the times periods they are most required which just shows that the problem was in the first place. I probably won't use taxi services again unless it for a work event.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Chingyul

Interesting it was for a company event. I wonder if any companies have set policy allowing or not allowing Uber for work travel.

Our specific company does not have such a policy, and we likely won't have one.
But it is an interesting question. Could a company have any liability if it allowed the use of, or promoted the use of uber for company business travel, in the event there was ever an accident.

[heep223]

Used Uber 3 times on the weekend. Fast, cheap, efficient service each time, clean vehicles and friendly drivers. I tipped all of them, even though they were pretty insistent on not taking tips.

I'll only take cabs at this point if I'm forced to for some reason.

[Bill Bumface]

The biggest reason I like Uber is because I don't have to spend 5 minutes paying/tipping.

Stop tipping people! You'll ruin it for all of us!

[HotHotHeat]

Was in Vancouver over the weekend, where there is no Uber yet.

Got into a cab downtown and informed the driver where we would like to go. He started his meter and I watched it tick up 3.50,60,70, the cab had not yet started moving. Driver was sitting there texting on his phone for a good 2 minutes after the meter started.

It hit $4.00, still weren't moving, so I signalled to my girlfriend to get out of the cab. He started flipping out for not paying the fare. Never again.

To clarify, I didn't care that he had to send a message before starting driving. But don't start the meter.

[Fuzz]

That was one thing I liked about the cabs in Portugal. If you aren't moving, you aren't paying. Motivates the driver to keep pushing through bad traffic.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Chingyul

Interesting it was for a company event. I wonder if any companies have set policy allowing or not allowing Uber for work travel.

This Christmas party season is going to be interesting. We normally get taxi chits to use. But with our experience last year - when 4 members of my 9 member team couldn't even get to the party because their cabs never showed up, and after the party my wife and I had to walk out into traffic to flag down a cab after waiting for an hour - there will be pressure to provide an alternative. Frankly, I'd rather just use Uber and pay myself than rely on a cab.

[polak]

Took an Uber this weekend. I was pretty messed up but the driver seemed nice and everything was good besides the fact that when my friend asked if tip was required the driver wouldn't give a straight answer. My buddy tipped him despite my drunken "you don't need to tip" mumblings.

Fare was $25 for what normally would've been closer to $40ish (never did that route with an extra stop in a cab before, but no extra stop was $30ish).

[Ducay]

Used it this weekend even though 190% surge pricing was in effect (late Friday after Jays game).

Can't comment on cost, as was pretty crippled and going from Stephen Ave to the Casino isn't much $ anyways.

[Engine09]

St. Patrick's Day a few years back, was out of town on a work trip. Got back late and dropped off the rental at Budget on 16th Ave across from North Hill Mall. Dropped the keys in the slot and called for a cab.

After being out of town for a week all I wanted to do was go home but I stood in that parking lot for 2 hours waiting for a cab at 2AM. Kept calling but eventually I couldn't even get through to any cab company. I would have just walked but I had a huge pelican case full of equipment, ultimately had a friend drive across the city to come get me. Have never been so pissed off in my life.

Next opportunity it's going to be Uber.

[Tron_fdc]

Can Uber pick you up at the airport?

That's another monopoly I wouldn't mind seeing broken.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Can Uber pick you up at the airport?

That's another monopoly I wouldn't mind seeing broken.

Anyone can pick you up at the airport. It's just Associated has bought the right to the taxi zones to wait for fares.

I routinely call Checker for pickup at the airport. Always a cab waiting for me and anything I can do to give the big F-U to Associated is a bonus.

Even if Associated did have a monopoly on pickups, I'm sure Uber would have no problem still taking fares from there.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Anyone can pick you up at the airport. It's just Associated has bought the right to the taxi zones to wait for fares.

I routinely call Checker for pickup at the airport. Always a cab waiting for me and anything I can do to give the big F-U to Associated is a bonus.

Even if Associated did have a monopoly on pickups, I'm sure Uber would have no problem still taking fares from there.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the only restriction against Uber is that you cannot hail an Uber car from the street. They have to meet you at a pre-arranged pick up spot.