Melig

We visited Amsterdam 3 times last year and used Uber instead of taxis throughout our stays except when my cellphone died. Our taxi fare from the airport to downtown was around €50 plus tip but with Uber it was only €26! Of course uber prices fluctuate according to supply and demand but at least we knew each time how much it would cost and could decide beforehand.

We now live in San Francisco, the birth place of Uber, where Uber has been so successful that I was told that only 5% of local residents use taxis. WHY? Because Uber cars will come to pick you up (TREMENDOUS CONVENIENCE) and the prices are shown before you decide to order the car to pick you up (NO SURPRISE in pricing) and NO TIPPING. Uber drivers tend to be nicer and more personable than the average taxi drivers because passengers rate get to rate their experience & driver after the ride. Even if I have to pay more I still prefer to take an Uber car than a taxi. The last benefit is not to have to carry cash. What do you all think?

Dukey1

Having been in San Francisco years ago where we were told the "number of taxis is strictly controlled" I can understand why some alternative service would have arisen. What I would hope occurs is that competition would improve the competitors. Has it? If the answer is "no" then something has obviously happened to the long-held Economics adage or some force, or forces, are at work.

Dukey1

As to taxis and cash? Taxis I take accept credit cards.

WoinParis

I carry no cash. And no tipping in Amsterdam. Cheaper can appeal to me though.
but what about insurance of Uber 'taxis' ?

hetismij2

Thankyou for your Uber advert. I am not sure what else this post is. Do you work for them?

You could have taken the train, and used trams for less.

Why deprive people who have worked to get certified, and are fully insured and licensed, of work just to save a few euro?
No need to tip a taxi driver in Amsterdam either.

Dukey1

WoinParis,

I recently started a thread about Uber on the assumption that what is driving its appeal is its costs IOW because "it is cheaper."

I was pretty much told that the cost is not the main thing which appeals to people but rather the convenience.

Now, that said, if I were arriving at the airport in Amsterdam and wanted "convenient" I would certainly NOT wait for some Uber to drive up when I could walk out and get a taxi which <B>is already there</B> or drop down and take the train into town and cheaper than that convenient cab.

IN Amsterdam perhaps Uber is more convenient than trying to get a regular taxi. I don't know because I have in the past usually walked or taken a tram.

But, as most people on that thread I started plainly stated that it wasn't "cheaper" that attracted them to Uber who am I to disagree?

menachem

In Amsterdam almost everyone bikes for their ultra-local transport needs. Taxis have been a shambles since forever: sometimes very violent drivers, endless industry disputes, questionable licensing practices. And a government that can't make up its mind between strict regulation and a free market for taxis. Taxi fares are insanely high.

However, there are many taxi outfits who flip their cars between their regular taxi service and Uber. Often, Uber isn't cheaper of course.

I'm checking at the moment and for a journey Dam - Schiphol I see UberX for about 30 euros, Uber Black for about 55, and an Uber Van for about 75.

Fixed fare Amsterdam - Schiphol by regular taxi is around 50 euros

ribeirasacra

boring.... all been discussed before.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-amsterdam.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm

rialtogrl

So Uber is legal in Amsterdam now?

I live in San Diego where cabs seriously suck, drivers never know addresses, and they are expensive. So we have embraced Uber and Lyft here. I lived in San Francisco for a long time and I don't understand the comment "Uber cars will come to pick you up." In my years in San Francisco, we called cabs and they came to pick us up. Has something changed?

janisj

Not one thing in the OP is a convincing argument to use uber . . . Who tips cab drivers in Amsterdam . . Oh, yes, people from California who tip everyone. With the easy availability of trams and taxis in A'dam I don't see any benefit to uber. I do understand the attraction in San Francisco . . . But not Amsterdam.

Melig

After reading the dutch news on a taxi driver who tried to rip off passengers at Schiphol, I come to appreciate Uber system for their no direct cash payment to the drivers:
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archive...am-hotel-trip/

Another great feature I like is the fact that I was able to remotely order an Uber car for my older aunt who asked for help because she couldn't get a taxi. I sent an uber car using the app from my workplace and informed her the uber driver's name,car make, color and registration plate that's coming to pick her up. I get the Uber bill and route description as soon as she was dropped off at her destination. There is a sense of security with that kind of real time tracking which is absent in the old taxi system. She told me it was like having her own private driver picking her up.

Hetismij2: I don't work for Uber, but I use it daily in San Francisco where the demand is so high that I often get rides from Uber drivers who who used to be taxi drivers. They understand that the old fashioned concept of taxi hailing/chasing is over, people want to be picked up and know the prices/options upfront.

Melig

Janis. I never fully appreciated the benefits of Uber until someone taught me how to use it. I don't know if you have. I remember when my parents used to say that they would never need a smart phone until they own their very own.

I do however agree with your good suggestion on taking the tram, which I often do on my own besides walking/running for exercise, but my wife really dislikes taking the metro/tram and strongly prefers a door to door transportation. So to accomodate her, I almost always use uber or taxi when I travel with her.

WoinParis

I don't see the comparison between a cellphone and Uber.
When I call my taxi I can send it wherever I want.
When I pay I pay plastic and I could register on line and pay on line.
All this with old taxis who give a training to their drivers and insure them.
Of course you'll find horror stories about taxis but I suppose I could find about Uber.
You prefer Uber.
I don't.

ribeirasacra

The trick seems to be to say the taxi meter is not working. If that was the case I would not be using a taxi anywhere in the world.
The Chinese in that report were foolish to use the taxi. In the first place.
Maybe we should look up the attacks on UBER passengers world wide? I bet we can all site one bad egg!
Yes certain levels of UBER are allowed. But they have to be professionals and to ensure they have correct insurance use blue registration plates on vehicles of any size.

Dukey1

I'm still waiting for an answer to my question as to whether of not the presence of Uber in San Francisco has actually improved the poor taxi services in that city.

WoinParis

Some horror stories ...

The first basically says that Uber drivers are racist.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/284686

Then horror stories, most from the part of the driver, including rape, and a Uber driver who shot 6 persons... (must be in the US admittedly, not in Amsterdam).

http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/...-stories-ever/

Horror stories told by the drivers..
http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-...-man-any-day-1

And I only cliked on 2 links...

Dukey1

I'm sorry, but just because a cab driver is "licensed" does not preclude much of anything including murder, rape, "bad" driving and all the rest of it.

I'm not even sure licensure ever COULD absolutely prevent any of those things.

Now, vehicle insurance, etc., is another matter entirely.

WoinParis

There is more screening when hiring a taxi driver. The guy comes, is tested vetted etc. bad driving should therefore happen less with taxi drivers. It is their job.
Now I just wanted to post horror stories not to say who is worse.
And there are rapists who are not even taxi drivers.

ribeirasacra

I know that is some countries background checks are done on Licensed cab drivers. Which countries do what or how much could be found on the Interweb.
UBER= nothing.
I am all for a free and common market, but at the same time I want some regulations in place to "protect" me.
The so called sharing websites like UBER and ABnB are going beyond that sharing and are big business now.

menachem

I really hate Amsterdam taxi drivers. Everyone does. Fact is, they're freelancing as Uber drivers too: it's the same pool, so you run into the same people all the time.