Uber now available in Buenos Aires
Nov 24, 2018, 8:18 am
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 759
The Argentine football federation is a disgrace, but Uber is not an illegal company in Argentina. Actually they are allowed to operate in Mendoza, and it seems Rosario and La Plata will also pass local ordinances so as to allow Uber to operate while paying taxes. The big problem for Uber is Buenos Aires, where they are illegal, Uber razzias are organised by the transit police and yet they are still operating and they seem to be quite successful. This sponsorship thing seems to be another provocative, Ryanair-esque way to advertise themselves. Flybondi is also doing this kind of "violent" advertising these days. I bet you have seen their ads throughout BA asking members of Congress to be more austere and fly cheaper Flybondi instead of Aerolíneas. Free market is fun.
Nov 25, 2018, 2:11 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: BUD
Programs: LH Frequent Flyer
Posts: 7
Hi guys!
What do you think, since next week the G20 will happen in Buenos Aires, will the police be more strict regarding random checks for possible Uber drivers in the city? Will it be more risky to take an Uber in these days?
What do you think, since next week the G20 will happen in Buenos Aires, will the police be more strict regarding random checks for possible Uber drivers in the city? Will it be more risky to take an Uber in these days?
Nov 27, 2018, 7:13 am
#63
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
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Posts: 35,681
Ive said this before and I will say again...... Uber in Buenos Aires is a silly silly thing to do. Given what the Taxi costs are, the savings DO NOT justify the risks involved.
Nov 27, 2018, 7:19 am
#64
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Posts: 35,681
We can agree to disagree... that is perfectly fine.
A good portion of Taxis are stepping up to the plate, more Cabs are now taking credit cards and the Top Rario Taxi companies now have Apps and are forcing drivers to have new cars or leave to another service. Things are slowly improving. Uber is a multi-million dollar corporation and I chose not to support their Argentine Operations in Buenos Aires until they agree to sit down with the local authorities, pay up on all their local taxes and comply with all the workers comp and benefits that are applicable for Remise and Taxi Companies.
And I state again that I think it is a SILLY IDEA to have visitors use Uber.... even with the very "good" language barrier issue. The Top Radio Taxi companies handle call centers with staff that handle Tarzan English so it is perfectly possible to order a Cab.... and pointing to an address to tell your driver where you are going is not something that most folks can handle/overcome..... alas, to each his/her own.
Safe travels !!
Tha
A good portion of Taxis are stepping up to the plate, more Cabs are now taking credit cards and the Top Rario Taxi companies now have Apps and are forcing drivers to have new cars or leave to another service. Things are slowly improving. Uber is a multi-million dollar corporation and I chose not to support their Argentine Operations in Buenos Aires until they agree to sit down with the local authorities, pay up on all their local taxes and comply with all the workers comp and benefits that are applicable for Remise and Taxi Companies.
And I state again that I think it is a SILLY IDEA to have visitors use Uber.... even with the very "good" language barrier issue. The Top Radio Taxi companies handle call centers with staff that handle Tarzan English so it is perfectly possible to order a Cab.... and pointing to an address to tell your driver where you are going is not something that most folks can handle/overcome..... alas, to each his/her own.
Safe travels !!
Tha
I beg to differ: as a “disruptor”, Uber (like Airbnb, Turo and other platform businesses) rely on challenging existing regulations. As such, they will be operating on a gray area initially in most places. That includes the US, Europe, and most other places which still have not regulated ridesharing businesses.
As such, most of the “risk” lies with the platform provider (Uber), followed by the party providing the service (drivers), and finally, the end user (rider). In the case of uber, it would be Uber>driver>rider. The biggest risk for Uber is getting banned/sanctions, etc. Risk to driver is fines/vehicle impounded, vandalism by cabs, etc. In most locations – including London – bans to Uber have mostly been temporary. Punishment on drivers have been very occasional, mostly to make an example. Now, I never heard of any cases of riders getting the short end of the stick (i.e. getting fined or arrested for using Uber?). Worst case scenario: getting caught in crossfire between taxis and uber drivers. In case of any problems I would imagine the rider will just walk away.
Whether Uber will eventually become regulated in Buenos Aires, it’s hard to know. These things could take years, as the lobby of taxi drivers push for an unrealistic total ban of all ridesharing. In the meantime, if taxis could improve their service by providing cleaner better maintained cars, with functioning seatbelts, take card payments and/or being able to provide change instead of complaining that passengers don’t have the exact amount for their ride, and improve their navigation skills, they would go a much better way towards clawing back at competition.
For visitors, in BsAs and elsewhere alike, it’s often not just about saving money, but the convenience of overcoming a language barrier by having your itinerary sent directly to the driver, ease of payment with a pre-confirmed amount or estimate, and a record of the ride details in case of problems.
As such, most of the “risk” lies with the platform provider (Uber), followed by the party providing the service (drivers), and finally, the end user (rider). In the case of uber, it would be Uber>driver>rider. The biggest risk for Uber is getting banned/sanctions, etc. Risk to driver is fines/vehicle impounded, vandalism by cabs, etc. In most locations – including London – bans to Uber have mostly been temporary. Punishment on drivers have been very occasional, mostly to make an example. Now, I never heard of any cases of riders getting the short end of the stick (i.e. getting fined or arrested for using Uber?). Worst case scenario: getting caught in crossfire between taxis and uber drivers. In case of any problems I would imagine the rider will just walk away.
Whether Uber will eventually become regulated in Buenos Aires, it’s hard to know. These things could take years, as the lobby of taxi drivers push for an unrealistic total ban of all ridesharing. In the meantime, if taxis could improve their service by providing cleaner better maintained cars, with functioning seatbelts, take card payments and/or being able to provide change instead of complaining that passengers don’t have the exact amount for their ride, and improve their navigation skills, they would go a much better way towards clawing back at competition.
For visitors, in BsAs and elsewhere alike, it’s often not just about saving money, but the convenience of overcoming a language barrier by having your itinerary sent directly to the driver, ease of payment with a pre-confirmed amount or estimate, and a record of the ride details in case of problems.
Nov 28, 2018, 6:51 am
#65
formerly skyccord
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC
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Posts: 269
I have been in B.A. for 2 days and used a cab from the airport but Uber for the most part. It's just easy. I only had one encounter where the Uber driver tried to get me to cancel the ride to pay him in cash which I declined. Other than that, Uber does what it does.
Jan 7, 2019, 9:07 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Posts: 38,584
After my first use on this trip (US-based account), I received a message from UBER with a discount code for 20% off my next two trips ($80 max. discount per ride).
Jan 15, 2019, 8:28 am
#70
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 381
The second motivator is the ability to enter a specific destination straight in the app, particularly useful when you don't speak (well) the language.
My experience with Uber in Latin America is on balance positive. Never had a problem in Lima, agree they are not significantly cheaper in Santiago and you are asked to sit in the front with the driver, in BsAs the biggest issue was at EZE, but otherwise pretty straight forward. In Mendoza, although now legal, there is just not enough of them.
Last edited by mzb00; Jan 16, 2019 at 10:25 am
Jan 15, 2019, 9:25 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Mar 2, 2019, 6:26 pm
#74
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Australia
Programs: QF; VA; AS
Posts: 109
It's been 6 years since my last visit to BA but I have been there 8 or 9 times and during all those times there was a common taxi driver scam involving switching of large denomination banknotes for counterfeit. Not sure if this scam is still in play but that alone would encourage me to take an Uber, certainly when going from EZE.
Mar 2, 2019, 6:46 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,584
It's been 6 years since my last visit to BA but I have been there 8 or 9 times and during all those times there was a common taxi driver scam involving switching of large denomination banknotes for counterfeit. Not sure if this scam is still in play but that alone would encourage me to take an Uber, certainly when going from EZE.
