Originally Posted by
Perche
I agree somewhat. The buses went on strike, and when that happens, other public transportation forms often strike or at least slow way down in solidarity. And Uber is. It the solution. When there were massive demonstrations after the first travel ban of the current USA administration, many taxi cabs went on strike, especially at the major NYC airports. Uber drivers were told to cross picket lines and head to the airport and charge "surge," or extra pricing for cabs. That was another key to Uber''s current downfall, with hundreds of thousands of people going with the "Delete Uber" movement. Uber is not going to solve the problems with taxis in Florence. They are not even able to operate since the Florence government started requiring background checks, a license, insurance, etc. Taxis are not going to provide normal service when other public transportation sectors are on strike. Not to pick up higher fares from a fashion show, but out of solidarity.
Again, the strike was on FRIDAY. The bad taxi behavior was on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday....BEFORE the strike happened. This had nothing to do with the bus strike. We used the bus to get around because the cabs weren't. There was no statement of solidarity sent out.
The cabs were all in their cab ranks, parked with no driver inside, where they would wait, empty, until someone from the Pitti called them. The Pitti ended on Thursday...and guess what....you could get a cab on Friday with some difficulty during the strike.
Basically, the two cab companies just rented out all of their cabs to the fashion show. So that they could make more money. And strand thousands of people in Florence that week.
If Uber was operating in Florence that week, they'd be surging the hell out of fares. And guess what? That would have been better because at least someone could actually get a cab.
People waited three hours for a cab in the 100 degree heat at Florence's train station during the fashion show, while 200 cabs stood empty in taxi ranks within a mile radius. They weren't protesting anything. Don't kid yourself. They were waiting on non-metered fares coming from the Pitti.
Its pretty clear, Uber may be a jerk, but so are the cab companies. At least if Uber is operating....people can actually get around. If the cab drivers were trying to protest Uber, a company that doesn't even operate in Florence by the way, by doing what they did, its incredibly counterproductive.