Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Uber Finally Accepts Cash -- For Autorickshaws In Delhi

Posted by timothy on from the diffusion-of-innovations dept.

An anonymous reader writes Car-hailing giant Uber has launched a new service called UberAUTO in Delhi, which will not only make no charge for hailing an autorickshaw, but will permit customers to pay cash for the first time in the company's history. As there seems to be no specific reason why the three-wheeled carriers should be exempt from Uber's online-only payment policy, the move invites speculation that the $40 billion firm is experimenting with unlocking another revenue stream.

4 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. New revenuestream? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...experimentig with unlocking another revenue stream...

    Since most of Ubers business model seems to be based on "ignore local law, regulations, ignore having expensive insurance, ..."

    Let me guess, this new revenuestream is based on "skip reporting GST or income tax too"

  2. It's a farce by OverlordQ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Still trying to say you're not a taxi service at this point is getting pretty ridiculous.

    --
    Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    1. Re:It's a farce by Locke2005 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Lower prices at what cost? It appears their business model is based on not paying taxes licensing fees and not paying for commercial insurance. Lower cost due to an unfair competitive advantage gained by being scofflaws... is that the kind of business model we want to encourage?

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    2. Re:It's a farce by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Are you a taxi driver? If not why do you care? Uber means lower prices.

      I care because I want to be able to safely hail a cab at 3:00am and not get gouged, robbed, raped, or abandoned in a ghetto.

      The reason why taxi laws exist, in nearly every country on the planet, is always initially due to consumer protection.

      The "draconian" and "tyranical" "protectionist" taxi laws help make it safe for the consumer/rider and ensure certain things like:
      Accountability.
      Driver licensing and insurance.
      Vehicle maintenance and safety standards.
      Access for people with disabilities.
      Round the clock service availability.
      Non-discrimination.
      Fair caps to prevent gouging.
      and much more that your inexperience and ignarance doesn't yet have a clue about.

      The regulation also limits or prevents;
      Gouging.
      Being thrown out/dropped off in unreasonable locations.
      Criminal predation.
      Industry domination by organized crime.
      and lots more.

      These "ride share" services with their hipster Prius drivers provide none of these assurances and CAN represent a significant danger to the public. Dangers that have been largely eliminated by regulating bus, taxi, and limosine services.

      Here's an example:
      In my area limosine services have a legally mandadted minimum charge. At first this seems ridiculous and anti-free market. But, the reason is that taxi services are required to provide round-the-clock service. Limosines are not. This places an unreasonable hardship on taxis, if limo services can undercut taxi prices which must have "padding" in order to be able to provide round-the-clock service without going out of business.

      Lower prices don't benefit you if you can't get a ride when you need one, do they?

      Sadly, bus, taxi regulation has been proven to be a requirement over and over and over again. Letting ride share services enjoy the income benefits without having to adhere to ANY of the requirements is ridiculous and unsustainable.