HOW UBER & LYFT ARE SCAMMING YOU
BENEFITS OF CHOOSING A TAXI OVER UBER/LYFT
Guaranteed RideWhile Uber or Lyft offer ride services, they are not guaranteed. You can request a ride through their respective apps but, if no driver is available in your area, your ride may be canceled. This leaves you at risk of being late to your destination. You are at the mercy of the driver's behavior and Uber/Lyft's ability to find you a ride.
Taxi services, however, have multiple drivers staffed, scheduled, and on the road based on supply and demand of the area. If you call them for a ride, someone will show up 100% of the time. |
Dependent on TechnologyUber or Lyft require a smartphone, a downloaded app onto your personal device, and a strong enough data signal to login, request a ride, get found by GPS, and then pay.
Taxi services only require a phone and an address, or, if you're at an airport or busy city location, a wave of a hand. Payment OptionsUber and Lyft both require credit cards to do business with them.
Taxi services, however, will happily accept cash transactions. |
Security + PrivacyTaxis are permitted, regulated, licensed, and insured, and all of their drivers are company employees that have gone through background checks and are vetted through an interview process. Companies like Uber and Lyft have none of these regulation requirements and, because all Uber and Lyft drivers are subcontracted, you could be riding with a driver that has no coverage.
This same business model also allows Uber and Lyft to utilize liability loopholes if an accident or other issue occurs. In addition, there is inherently more privacy when using a taxi, as your ride isn't digitally scheduled and tracked like when you ride with Uber or Lyft. |
Better, More Reliable PricingIf you've ever used Uber or Lyft, you've likely experienced surge pricing. This occurs when you are in a busy or populated area, and/or you're requesting a ride during a busier time like dinner or during a holiday. You could get a ride home from work one day and pay $10, and the next day it could be $25 due to a lack of drivers and increase in driver usage.
Taxi companies, on the other hand, have their prices regulated in almost all cities. This ensures predictability in the amount customers will be charged, stops price gouging, and ensures a reasonable return for both owners and drivers. |
Vehicle SafetyTaxi company vehicles are maintained by the taxi company and, because the vehicles are an actual company asset, most taxi companies have a mechanic on staff to regularly maintain upkeep.
Uber or Lyft drivers, however, are responsible for their own vehicle upkeep and are only required to go through one safety inspection a year in most states. Driver ExperienceA vast majority of Uber or Lyft drivers are part-time drivers who rely on GPS navigation to get you from Point A to Point B. Taxi drivers, on the other hand, are generally better informed of knowing the city you're in and what the fastest routes are.
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Ease of Use & ConvenienceUber or Lyft rides need to be requested and booked before you can grab a ride. Taxis are open to whomever is ready to roll.
This can be especially useful in locations like airports. It's much more convenient to just walk up to a taxi and be on your way than it is to try and deal with an Uber or Lyft driver who can't find you because your pickup pin is on the wrong side of the terminal or because there are so many other bystanders at the curb, making it much more difficult for your Uber or Lyft driver to find you. |