Now that Uber has started in the Waterloo Region. At first they really didn't hurt us. but as the time goes by they are starting to hurt us. Mostly at nights and weekends.
What Uber has done will affect everyone. Uber has promised to create jobs. What kind of the jobs? They're calling it casualized workforce. Where people from all walks of life can just start working on a whim. Customers are the ones that benefit from this. But also Uber. Uber does not care about the downfall of this type of economy. It's goal is to change what was a trade to a simple part-time job. Where man and woman that had full-time careers in the taxi industry. From drivers, call takers and office management team. All this jobs are now in jeopardy. All because someone wants to make more money than God. So far Uber has spent a lot of money to destroy the taxi industry. Thinking that they can simply go around the laws that are there to protect the consumers and the taxi industry. Saying that they are only a technology company. The simple truth is that they are a transportation/taxi company.
Uber's public image is a corporation that wants to change how people get around. They're gone out of their way to avoid regulation. The reason for regulations is to protect customers. But, Uber says it does a better job than government regulators. Let's see their track record. Improper insurance coverage for drivers and passengers. No oversight of drivers' abstract record. No proper car inspection. Corporation like Uber only looks at the bottom line. Now, UberX or UberPop drivers are paying the price. With improper insurance coverage. Drivers involved in a accidents are being left out in the cold. Promises of wages better than the taxi industry. True. Only until Uber has a larger market share. Than Uber takes 25% of the fare and still dropping price of the fares. To hold onto their market share. Drivers are forced to make less or work longer hours to make up the difference. When times comes to replace their vehicle. They won't have enough money to purchase one. So, here comes Uber to the rescue. By offering deals of financing from one of their many partners. You get the picture. I hope.
People say that taxi industry is a monopoly? Really what Uber has done. Is making a monopoly. One large taxi company around the world. Without care for the customers. Killing the taxi industry around the world. How one corporation be allowed to destroy a industry that has been around for ages. Local companies like Waterloo Taxi, United and City Cab (Kitchener) fighting off a company that subsides it's drivers to steal customers. By lying about the taxi industry. Faster, safer and cleaner. Which anyone in my region knows is not true. If Uber wanted to go head to head in a fair fight. They would lose. Drivers would leave them, for they would not make the money that they were promised. Customers would not step in a car without proper insurance, or know who is really behind the wheel. How safe is that car? No real documentation on the vehicle.
People are so caught up with Uber's marketing that it's funny. Technology company? At Waterloo Taxi we use more technology than Uber will ever use. Customers can simply call. E-mail or uses two different apps that are available. We can even still run our service if the internet goes down or like in 2004. Power outage. People will get a cab. We don't use sub-standard equipment, but use commercial grade equipment. Including software and GPS. How often is the gps on your phone inaccurate? You trust that for commercial uses in a business?
The taxi industry is not perfected. But, here in the region we are working to improve the service all the time. I would like some changes to improve the industry. But, it takes people to go to the government and talk about the industry. I'm one of many owner/operators of Waterloo Taxi. Just a guy trying to make a honest living for me and my family. I drive four days a week. I have 2 other people that drive my vehicle for the rest of the week. They rely on me to make sure my cab is safe and clean. Which I take great care of. It's not just my income but theirs also. Next time you want to go out. Remember! There's people that went out of their way to become a taxi drivers. Uber's drivers are just out there without any care of the rules. Just to make a quick dollar.
Uber is destroying full-time jobs. Call takers, and drivers won't be needed. Then there's the money that leaving the region. 25% of all fares will leave the region. It all equals to the demise of the fabric of our community. Where owners like me will have find ways to save money. Like stop sponsoring local teams. Advertisement ads, or cutting jobs at the office. In the long run the consumer will pay. Surge pricing and slower response time. Look at what's happening in California. Law suits against Uber. It will effect in the price of the fare. It's just a thought. Think about what will happen when Uber is the only business around.
No comments:
Post a Comment