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FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Ride Services, including Uber and Lyft (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-services-including-uber-lyft-747/)
-   -   über safety ? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-services-including-uber-lyft/1635816-ber-safety.html)

HMPS Dec 9, 2014 4:39 pm
über safety ?
 
Recent news item showed an Über driver apprehended for raping his passenger. This man had already served time for Sexual assault.

Switzerland is about to " outlaw" Über.

How are you protected in what respect, recourse etc when you used Über as it gets more popular in the US ?
Disclaimer: Have never used Über.

mandolino Dec 9, 2014 4:58 pm
I've used Uber (not German, no umlaut) in a few countries now and thought it probably safer than taxis.

The driver in question, in Delhi, was quickly apprehended by police.

Can you explain how this alleged crime would be any less likely to happen in a normal Delhi taxi?

stut Dec 9, 2014 5:13 pm
Even the most regulated taxi systems in the world can harbour prolific rapists:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Worboys

That's not to say that systems may be more or less open to abuse.

Tchiowa Dec 9, 2014 5:23 pm
Originally Posted by HMPS (Post 23970329)
Recent news item showed an Über driver apprehended for raping his passenger. This man had already served time for Sexual assault.

Switzerland is about to " outlaw" Über.

How are you protected in what respect, recourse etc when you used Über as it gets more popular in the US ?
Disclaimer: Have never used Über.
I'm not a fan of Uber, but the rape issue is irrelevant. I have read in several countries where taxi drivers have been involved in robbery, rapes and murder. 15 years or so ago there were several tourists robbed and murdered in Bangkok by taxi drivers. It happens.

davie355 Dec 9, 2014 5:49 pm
Uber is safe. You can caricature the UberX service as hitching a ride with a stranger, but this stranger has his name, photo, and personal info on record -- and his GPS location is tracked and logged.

If you are concerned about your safety, I recommend that every time you step in a car, you text a friend:

Code:
Just got in an Uber. Here's my live location: (URL)
The link (available in app during each ride) will share the GPS location of your driver's phone, so even if your phone runs out of battery, your friend will know where you are.

enviroian Dec 9, 2014 5:52 pm
I use Uber X every week and have so for over a year. No worry whatsoever.

Best thing to ever come around. Sorry cabbies your pi$$ed. Competition rocks ^

EuropeanPete Dec 9, 2014 5:53 pm
Uber will carry out the same checks as most or all other taxi companies and at least you have a clear record of who you travel with.

It's incredibly sad that single women in Delhi aren't safe from rape and something does need to be done, but I'm not sure that Uber is making things worse.

HMPS Dec 9, 2014 8:25 pm
Originally Posted by mandolino (Post 23970419)
I've used Uber (not German, no umlaut) in a few countries now and thought it probably safer than taxis.

The driver in question, in Delhi, was quickly apprehended by police.

Can you explain how this alleged crime would be any less likely to happen in a normal Delhi taxi?
No scientific proof but have heard no reports from media or local friends.

Chicago TV is reporting a similar case . Uber

TWA884 Dec 9, 2014 8:56 pm
Originally Posted by EuropeanPete (Post 23970700)
Uber will carry out the same checks as most or all other taxi companies...
That's not correct, at least in most US jurisdictions where taxi drivers undergo fingerprint based criminal background checks.
Uber Sued by L.A. and San Francisco District Attorneys

<snip>

The suit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, said Uber touted its background checks as “industry leading,” yet the San Francisco company did not subject its drivers to fingerprint tests. Passengers were then charged $1 “safe ride fees” based on what district attorneys said were substandard background checks.

Uber is also accused of calculating ride fares without state approval, an oversight process that prevents companies from overcharging its customers. The suit goes on to claim Uber operated at California airports without proper authorization and committed fraud by charging passengers $4 toll fees for rides in and out of San Francisco International Airport – fees that are owed to the airport, but that were never paid out.

“Uber continues to misrepresent and exaggerate background checks on drivers,” Los Angeles District Atty. Jackie Lacey said at a news conference in Los Angeles. “It’s not our goal to shut them down. What we’re saying is their advertising is false.”

<snip>

SeriouslyLost Dec 9, 2014 11:33 pm
Originally Posted by enviroian (Post 23970693)
I use Uber X every week and have so for over a year. No worry whatsoever. Best thing to ever come around. Sorry cabbies your pi$$ed. Competition rocks ^
Not when part of the "competitive edge" is to simply ignore the law as inconvenient or a matter of policy.

will2288 Dec 10, 2014 12:41 am
Originally Posted by SeriouslyLost (Post 23972032)
Not when part of the "competitive edge" is to simply ignore the law as inconvenient or a matter of policy.
I agree. Their willingness to ignore laws, and sometimes direct court orders, is concerning.

GUWonder Dec 10, 2014 2:44 am
Originally Posted by HMPS (Post 23971402)
No scientific proof but have heard no reports from media or local friends.

Chicago TV is reporting a similar case . Uber
Delhi taxi drivers raping or otherwise sexually assaulting female passengers has happened repeatedly over many years. Many of them don't get reported to the police, but some of them do get reported to medical staff.

I see no evidence that Uber is less safe than the alternatives there, and I say that as someone with lots of experience in Delhi.

Radio taxi companies and Uber had been seen as an improvement in safety/security for solo women travelers in Delhi -- an improvement over what used to be before -- but some of that may have been based on wishful thinking. The difference now is that at least the radio and uber drivers are now in a better position for being caught and punished than used to be the case. Thank technology and increased competition for that.

moeve Dec 10, 2014 8:16 am
You do realize these guys are not insured to take paying guests so wait and see what happens to you when involved in a serious accident! Do remember insurance laws are different in different countries.

brendog Dec 10, 2014 8:27 am
I use Uber roughly 5 or 6 times per week, and have had exactly zero issues. I stick with Uber Black, as the drivers are actually professionals, and the cars much nicer. My biggest issue with UberX is the inexperienced drivers who have no clue how to get anywhere (e.g., The guy who had no idea how to get to DCA from Georgetown in DC).

emma69 Dec 10, 2014 8:51 am
Originally Posted by moeve (Post 23973574)
You do realize these guys are not insured to take paying guests so wait and see what happens to you when involved in a serious accident! Do remember insurance laws are different in different countries.
This is my biggest concern - and I am not alone, as I know of several companies who have told their staff they are expressly forbidden from using Uber for company business, because of the risk around insurance. There have been issues here in Canada with uninsured (or underinsured) drivers, and even unlicensed drivers. They have also been in trouble for operating without the necessary permits - they claim they are a technology company, not a taxi / limo service and therefore don't need permits - codswallop - if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc!

In addition, here it just isn't economical either - for the trip I do most often, the rates quoted for the Black or SUV are 1.5-2 times more expensive than the town car service I use. For the regular uberx it is cheaper, but who knows what you might end up with!


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