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News

The War between Taxis and Ridesharing Services Continues

Ridesharing services invaded the transport industry with hardly an introduction. This is apart from its tempting promises about changing the way people commute and travel. Commuters started using the Uber app in 2009 to get in touch with personal drivers wanting to use their own vehicles to offer strangers a lift. Since then, the hype about this transportation breakthrough grew. When word spread around about good deal rates, similar businesses like Lyft soon followed.

As expected, the cab industry responded with its own rightful buzz. For one, taxi companies stressed that ridesharing services offered unfair competition. This is due to the fact that they weren’t required to stick to the same regulations as cabbies. Without the need for background checks for their drivers, car inspections, certification fees, and further insurance coverage, the expense of operating is lower for ridesharing companies.

Cabbies Fight Back

Just a few months ago, here in Chicago, we launched a fresh start against ridesharing services. This plan is to sponsor a software for passengers to hail local cabbies. The strategy was an important part of a deal which includes monetary support for cabs, like fee breaks, approved by the city council. A union majorly consisted of cab drivers and taxi operators organized this plan in Chicago last year to push hard for the package. This approved plan is the way of the taxi industry to level the playing field. The use of app for conventional taxis is starting to gain popularity now, thanks to the software from trusted companies using it already, like the Universal Taxi app.

The Universal Taxi Dispatch is a great example of this company-based transportation mobile app. It’s a safe way to acquire various services like airport pick-ups, corporate accounts, package delivery, and even school riding programs. By using the app, the passenger can also estimate his fare from point A to point B.

Chicago Cabbie Mobile App

The Chicago regulation commits the city to develop a mobile app that will function as a main dispatch for all of the city’s taxi companies. It is not yet established how the mobile app is going to be implemented. No word yet on who covers the cost for it, and whether rideshare services can bid for the agreement to acquire or run it as well. For the meantime, I suggest that local and foreign passengers can use company-based apps such as Universal Taxi to get the services that they need.

Labor groups state that the taxi industry is suffering from similar problems with low-wage workers in the fast-food and other service industries. This is particularly true with their dormant wages and restricted dealing privileges. The taxi industry projects that this Chicago measure, that includes lowering the fees drivers pay to rent their car, reducing fine amounts , and providing cab drivers a share of in-car marketing earnings, will collectively boost revenue for drivers up to $8,000 each year. As an experienced cabbie, I can honestly say that this is an incredibly great, positive news.

As for the services from the other side of the court, Uber declined to give a comment about the issue. Although, the controversial ridesharing company says that its functionality and safety were better than those of the cab industry.

 

Insight

What Are the Safety Features of the New Universal Taxi App?

The Chicago taxi system is rebounding from the losses brought about by ride sharing apps. It is no secret that these apps almost obliterated the taxi industry. Even if these ride sharing apps still hold an unfair advantage over taxis, new innovations are now in service to commuters in the city. The Universal Taxi Dispatch App promises all the conveniences of the taxi and many other safety features.

Regulated Service

The taxi service is bound by the full extent of government laws in commuter safety and service. Taxi drivers must be properly licensed. Service vehicles must conform to minimum safety requirements as well. Non-compliance with these regulations results in stiff penalties such as license suspensions and fines to the taxi company. Since neither of these situations is ideal, taxi companies make sure that every ride taken is secure and offer maximum convenience.

This is in sharp contrast with the lack of driver regulations of ride sharing apps. Much profit is made from the distinction between the drivers of apps like Uber and Lyft and taxi companies. Since it is technically not a business, these ride sharing apps can get away with delivering a full service with pay without any interference from the law. This is dangerous because your safety is at risk when unqualified drivers decide to join these apps.

New Universal Taxi App

When you book a taxi, its license plate and other relevant details will be displayed on your screen. You receive an estimated total fare based on distance. You can also see your taxi service on a map in real time for accurate time estimation. If you want to contact your taxi driver directly for directions or instructions, you can also do that with a touch of a button.

The new Universal Taxi Dispatch App also features a direct line for any customer suggestions and complaints. You can rate your taxi experience this way and give feedback on driver rudeness, reckless driving, and bias over payment methods. Taxi companies are legally bound to respect any customer feedback. Any case made against taxi companies can result in license suspension and stiff fines.

The Universal Taxi Dispatch App lives up to current commuter standards. Its simple and friendly user interface is compatible with most Android versions and iPhones. It is, however, suggested that iOS be used for iPhones. The app can also be used by most iPads and iPod Touch versions.

Sources:

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141106/river-north/cab-drivers-friendlier-than-usual-uber-lyft-competition-could-be-why

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/universal-taxi/id941145239?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apcurium.MK.UniversalTaxi&hl=en

http://alternativeto.net/software/u-taxi-dispatch/

Insight

Chicago Cabs vs Uber and Lyft

These days modes of transportation are quite vast. When talking about going places within a city or state, there is the economic-friendly bicycle, the motorcycle, the private cars, some buses, the traditional cabs, and now, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, to name a few. Once upon a time, you had to hail a cab from the curb, or call for a cab or town car if you want to get spared from the hassle. Now, hailing a cab is easier done through a mobile app, although the first two options are still always readily available. Oh, how lifestyle evolves to adapt to the latest technological innovations.

There have been a lot of hoo-has in the universal taxi industry where traditional cab drivers complain about the unfair treatment the Chicago taxi companies get as compared to the privileges ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft receive. There has been a legislative discussion on the so-called war between universal taxi establishments and the emerging rideshare insurgencies where it seems that the former may be fighting a battle they are bound to lose.

Most Chicago citizens have become ‘traffic cops’ wherein they can easily jot down on a piece of paper some information of a cab they did not like and phone 311 to report it. This could lead to the cab company or driver paying fines and court costs. Rideshare cars usually do not have any markings, stickers or whatnot that could differentiate them from private cars, so ‘traffic cops’ wouldn’t easily get to them and take advantage of them.

Traditionally, taxicabs have become an institution that deemed to be permanently part of the urban life, until rideshare services and innovations entered the picture. It is true that rideshares can offer utmost convenience to its customers, with all the information (driver’s information, vehicle type, estimated time of travel, etc.) readily available with just a swipe of your finger. Paying wouldn’t even be a hassle since you will be charged via your credit card (details of which will be asked from you before booking a ride) and a receipt would be sent via email (credit brittany). Probably the only problem with this would be that fares would be subject to surge pricing, which usually happens during peak season or in the case of bad weather.

With this kind of technological innovation available to consumers nowadays, there is no doubt that the traditional taxi industry is in shambles. More than that, most cab drivers feel that they will eventually lose their jobs as their profession is slowly becoming extinct.

Insight, Taxi App

Sizing Up the Competition: Rideshare vs Taxi Services

Taxi services have taken people around for as long as I can imagine, but recent enhancements to technology have given people other options, such as ridesharing services. This has, of course, given cabbies quite a headache given how stiffer the competition has become. Let’s see how traditional taxi services compare to the new ridesharing services, and decide where passengers are getting better value for their money.

Ridesharing Services

Rideshare gives both drivers and passengers the convenience of linking one to the other through just a few taps on their smartphones. Passengers do not even need to shell out any cash or take out their credit cards; the app itself takes care of the payment. Cab sharing services like Lyft and Uber also offer promos every so often, sometimes allowing drivers to have a higher percentage of the earnings at specific hours. For drivers, this is very, very good news considering how little investment they shell out (as they use their own car), how flexible their hours are, and how bigger they take home in earnings after expenses. For passengers however, there could also be problems outside of the convenience. Rideshare drivers do not have to get a special license to qualify as one, nor are they required to pay for insurance. Rideshare companies also claim to conduct background investigation on each of the drivers before accepting them, but there have been numerous reports of rideshare drivers having criminal records or displaying bad or offensive attitude. Yes, the app allows you to rate the driver so that they can block the driver’s account if anyone reports anything bad. But what good is a bad rating if something bad has already happened?

taxi cab

Taxi Services

Taxi drivers and companies in Chicago seem to have the worse part of the bargain here especially in terms of investment. To be able to operate a cab in the city, you would need to have a medallion, which could cost roughly around $300,000. Taxis also have to be replaced every four years, which means that you would have to use those years to save up for a new car after that period. You also pay roughly $600 a month for insurance, taxes, gas, and other expenses. As far as the quality of services is concerned, taxi drivers go through so much just to be given a license to become a taxi driver. You need a clean driving record, pay for insurance, and pass an exam, a physical, and a number of other qualifiers. Taxi services have also been upgrading their services to make it more convenient for passengers to book them. Aside from allowing you to call them or book online, Universal Taxi now offers a downloadable app that allows you to call for a taxi wherever you are.

So now, you decide. Should you leave your safety to a common person with a driving license and an old car, or to a cabbie driver licensed to chauffeur passengers?

News

Former Lyft Exec Accused Of Stealing Confidential Data Before Joining Uber

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Former COO Travis VanderZanden is being taken to court for breach of his confidentiality agreement and fiduciary duty weeks after the executive joined Uber.

Cherry_D

A year-and-a-half, Lyft acquired VanderZanden’s Cherry venture, an on-demand car wash startup. Due to his previous operational experience, VanderZanden was installed as COO and helped lead the company’s strategic roadmap as it expanded into a number of new cities over the course of the following year.

VanderZanden left Lyft in August after reported tensions with company founders John Zimmer and Logan Green. Several months later VanderZanden landed at Uber, where he was hired to aid with the company’s international growth.

Before that, however, Lyft claims the former executive copied a treasure trove of confidential information on his way out the door. By doing so, Lyft alleges VanderZanden has breached the confidentiality agreement he signed at the time he joined the company.

“We are disappointed to have to take this step, but this unusual situation has left us no choice but to take the necessary legal action to protect our confidential information. We are incredibly proud of the dedicated and people-powered culture that we’ve fostered to support drivers, passengers and the entire Lyft community and we will not tolerate this type of behavior.” –  said a Lyft spokesperson.

While this two companies battle over data ownership, Universal Taxi is preparing to release its new Mobile Booking Application.

Here’s Lyft’s complaint against VanderZanden: 

Lyft Complaint Against VanderZanden

Stay tuned for more updates!