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Uber threatens to leave Houston (bizjournals.com)

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[–]JediLibrarian 51ポイント52ポイント  (55子コメント)

I think Uber has a point that the City of Houston could be more efficient in the process to license a new driver. It shouldn't take over a month for someone to start making money in a new job.

On the other hand, Uber is one of the most valuable companies in the country and their profitability has grown exponentially. They're making all that money in part because they've circumvented so many regulations and because governments have been characteristically slow in regulating them.

[–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 9ポイント10ポイント  (2子コメント)

The City of Houston and Houston METRO seek to maintain monopoly control on public transportation in Houston.

Uber is a market solution to inadequate and expensive public transportation costs.

Running Uber out of town endangers the lives of innocent Houstonians because Uber takes drunk drivers off the road--drunk drivers who would rather not spend $50-$60 on a taxi ride.

By creating unnecessary regulations (high compliance costs), Houston city government is attempting to maintain monopoly control on public transport.

The local Taxi union supported Turner in the election. This is his campaign promise: destroy market competition for his voter bank.

A voter bank is a group of voters to which a politician or political party grants political favors and privileges to guarantee a perpetual supply of supporting votes in an election, thus maintaining political control in a jurisdiction. This is rent seeking at the highest magnitude.

Rent seeking is the use of a company, organization or individual's resources to obtain economic gain from others without reciprocating any benefits to society through wealth creation.

Rent seekers typically do so by getting a subsidy for a good they produce or for being in a particular class of people, by getting a tariff on a good they produce, or by getting special regulation that hampers their competitors.

[–]houshutter 13ポイント14ポイント  (30子コメント)

The process of getting or maintaining a license isn't a big deal, if you plan your day properly, you can get it done in a day.

[–]NOCIANONSA 3ポイント4ポイント  (20子コメント)

You can get a provisional license that quickly but you will have to go back within that month to make that license valid.

[–]houshutter 3ポイント4ポイント  (19子コメント)

so? You have to apply for any license when dealing with the public. What's the big deal with seeing the city once every two years for your license? Maybe another time for an annual vehicle inspection.

[–]NOCIANONSA 3ポイント4ポイント  (3子コメント)

Have you ever gone through the process? Do you know what kind of pain in the ass it is? I guess you have plenty of time to spare. My time is more valuable to me than having to go down and pay the city more money to verify something that should be done online or with the mail.

[–]houshutter 13ポイント14ポイント  (2子コメント)

Actually, yes.

I have gone through it. 4 times over 9 years.

I made my living being a cab driver for awhile.

Does it suck? Yes. Did it keep me off the streets while I could be earning money? absolutely, but it was part of the process to keep my license so I could earn a living, so just like the thousands before you, just suck it up for a couple of days and move on.

[–]NOCIANONSA 3ポイント4ポイント  (1子コメント)

Just because you and others have sucked it up and gone through the process does not make it a worthwhile process. It's still a waste of time and can and should be done more efficiently, like online.

[–]houshutter 8ポイント9ポイント  (0子コメント)

so you can have your brother apply online for you?

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    [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (8子コメント)

    The government is supposed to work for me, not fuck over my day.

    [–]Blix- 11ポイント12ポイント  (9子コメント)

    Government shouldn't be regulating them in the first place

    [–]eadochas 3ポイント4ポイント  (2子コメント)

    I disagree. If you're going to sell so,etching to the public, the government should be involved to make sure you aren't doing anything exploitative.

    [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 3ポイント4ポイント  (0子コメント)

    The government is the biggest exploiter in the history of mankind.

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        [–]Doodarazumas 7ポイント8ポイント  (7子コメント)

        their profitability has grown exponentially.

        Might want to check that. I gave my last uber driver a cash tip which means he has made several hundred million more than uber.

        [–]eadochas 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

        Your data is based only on Uber's lobbying efforts. The company clears in excess of $2 B in profit per year. Look at the tax rolls, not the company's press releases.

        [–]Doodarazumas 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

        Oh, that was not meant to be a 'take pity on uber' thing. More of a 'can you believe the insanity of the vc app economy' type thing.

        Either way, pretty sure they're losing money hand over fist. Almost everything I've seen has them losing millions per day, and I think if they were actually profitable they would sing it to the heavens.

        コメントをもっと表示する (5 返事)

          [–]mduellHighland Village 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

          Uber is one of the most valuable companies in the country and their profitability has grown exponentially

          While they may have a tremendous hyped-up "value", their recent financing (>$4.5B last year, >$2B so far this year) casts heavy skepticism on any profitability.

          [–]oSnapMillerTime 56ポイント57ポイント  (48子コメント)

          Ok so I just became a driver and got the TNC license. I have to say Ubers BS 28% take on top of low fares is more BS than the COH's requirements. Drivers should at LEAST get $5 a trip. I get a lot of $2-$3 trips and it fkn sucks. If it wasnt for surge pricing and airport trips I wouldnt do it. Who wants to spend 10-15 min driving for $2?

          The TNC wasnt bad although it wasn't easy or cheap either. They are right that it takes 4 weeks or more getting signed up, mostly because u have to go to this place and that place to get everything and with a full time job you have to do one thing at a time when you have time. And once you have the TNC you still need a HAS permit to pick up people at the airport. Fingerprints was $40 which is fkn insane. The physical and drug test was $55, and I had to use Ubers NP because my PCP wouldnt do the tests the city wants. Getting my car inspected took longer than waiting at the permit center. Overall it was a PITA getting the TNC, Uber is correct. However, I think its best to do these requirements for the riders. But dont blame COH only, Uber could help organize a one stop shop to get all this stuff done in one day. Also, there were a lot, and I mean A LOT of people signing up along with me so its not like no one wants to do it.

          [–]frientlymusician 38ポイント39ポイント  (6子コメント)

          so many acronyms

          [–]Mythril_Zombie 5ポイント6ポイント  (2子コメント)

          I understood PITA and BS.

          I thought I understood PCP, but I'll bet I'm thinking of something different.

          [–]lionhardlegend90 5ポイント6ポイント  (1子コメント)

          Primary Care Physician

          [–]Mythril_Zombie 5ポイント6ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Yep, mine was way better.

          [–]rigsloth 5ポイント6ポイント  (2子コメント)

          wth?? BS, TNC, COH, fkn, np, PCP(wtf??? the chemical?), PITA, LOT (oh sorry he meant "lot" as in "a lot")... I think I will GTFO of this post don't get a thing.

          [–]magnora7 2ポイント3ポイント  (1子コメント)

          bullshit, city of houston, fuckin', no problem, primary care provider, pain in the ass... dunno TNC

          [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 18ポイント19ポイント  (3子コメント)

          Yes, that would be a good idea for Uber to do, but they won't do it because they don't want to mess up their argument in several pieces of class action litigation that Uber drivers are independent contractors and not employees.

          [–]ezsmashing 3ポイント4ポイント  (2子コメント)

          Don't think that's true. Uber's goal is to get as many drivers on the platform as possible. It's in Uber's best interest to allow easy access to the platform. I'd bet if Uber could somehow convince the city to allow them to do it all the permitting in one place I guarantee you they would. If you've ever dealt with bureaucracies before they don't work to make things easier on people...

          [–]byrelMidtown 7ポイント8ポイント  (1子コメント)

          Uber's goal is to get as many drivers on the platform as possible.

          I think that's mostly due to the incredibly high turnover they have with drivers when they realize they really don't make that much money

          [–]ezsmashing 4ポイント5ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Maybe tactically in the day-to-day that might be true but strategically that's not the reason.

          This is: http://www.businessinsider.com/ubers-plans-to-be-cheaper-than-owning-a-car-2015-2

          [–]johnthecThe Heights 21ポイント22ポイント  (22子コメント)

          I could have written this. Because of the MANY hoops the city makes you go through getting part time drivers like myself, and I really do like driving for Uber, creates a huge barrier. I spent weeks running around getting it all taken care of and it was about $150. So what happens? Many of your Uber drivers are cab drivers pulling extra shifts that have a TNC. Does any single person on here think a cab experience in HOU is better than Uber? No. I know plenty of people that would drive but there is no way they can take at least one full day, probably two, so you can:

          1. Get Drug Tested
          2. Pass a physical (Can be done at same location)
          3. Go the COH PD and have a warrant search done
          4. Get fingerprinted (By private company Identigo)
          5. Go to COH permitting office for TNC
          6. Get car inspected by COH
          7. Go to HOU Airport Authority for IAH/HOU pick up permits

          I work by IAH so that last part wasn't too bad but for most people, this is a bit ridiculous. Six separate locations and that is best case scenario.

          [–]houshutter 9ポイント10ポイント  (2子コメント)

          When I was a full time driver, I had to whine about doing the same thing for my taxi permit. so what is the big deal?

          personally, I just saw it as a cost of doing business and only did it every two years.

          [–]Libertarian_Bro 0ポイント1ポイント  (1子コメント)

          That's the difference between a job that's your main source of income, and some shit you do on the side when you have the time for a few extra bucks. That's what uber was designed to be... Or so I thought. Guess it is just another cab service with a better app. I wouldn't go through all that hassle to deliver pizzas, why would I do that shit for uber? How does this affect people in the suburbs? What's the ticket cost for operating inside city of Houston limits without all this certification?

          [–]houshutter 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

          150 every two years.

          even part time daycare workers have to go through background checks that are a bit more stringent.

          Would you then say that they shouldn't be be encumbered by such regulations as well?

          In fact I just had to fire someone because they didn't pass a more stringent background check.

          [–]couldnt_carelessWestmoreland 11ポイント12ポイント  (4子コメント)

          I think most riders would want drivers to have to pass all of those steps. I get its a bitch, but driving people around in your car has a lot of responsibility.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          I don't. I don't care. It's a choice between a $30 ride to downtown or $7 ride to downtown. These regulations are hurting me, the consumer.

          For most riders, running Uber out of town means they will return to driving drunk to save a $30-$60 cab fair. The bus system doesn't pick you up in front of your neighborhood in Spring, Katy, or Cypress. The light rail doesn't go anywhere.

          These regulations have nothing to do with public safety. The City wants the tax revenue and the revenue from compliance costs. They seek to maintain monopoly control on public transportation in Houston.

          [–]cronidollars 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          FUCK GIVING PEOPLE A CHOICE RIGHT? WE'RE TOO DUMB TO DECIDE FOR OURSELVES!

          THANK YOU GOVERNMENT!

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Which is why soccer moms don't have to go through all of the above bullshit. It's a lot of responsibility. /s

          [–]Libertarian_Bro 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Or using a ride sharing service comes with inherent risk which is why it costs less than a taxi. Want certified drivers... Call the taxi and pay more.

          [–]oSnapMillerTime 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Yah I forgot the warrant check!!

          [–]asdfjlk55 4ポイント5ポイント  (1子コメント)

          So... They're making sure you're not on drugs, not a criminal, and have a functioning car. That seems pretty essential to me.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 3ポイント4ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Just like how they make sure criminals never buy guns. How they make sure nobody ever speeds. How they make sure illegal immigrants never cross into the US. How they make sure people under the age of 21 never drink. How they make sure banks don't commit fraud. How they make sure oil companies never spill oil. How they make sure people never possess or do illegal drugs. The government is never wrong, never makes mistakes, and never does anything totally ineffective, right?

          [–]Swordsteel 6ポイント7ポイント  (10子コメント)

          This is insane to me! We should want to promote business in Texas, not over regulate it.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Houston City Government seeks to maintain monopoly control on public transportation with high compliance costs, destroying competition from private businesses which only seek to compete and provide jobs for innocent Houstonians.

          [–]mgbesq 6ポイント7ポイント  (8子コメント)

          I don't consider it "over regulating" to insist that Uber drivers are healthy, safe, and have a safe vehicle. It sounds like they're being regulated within the scope of the services they offer.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 6ポイント7ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Yeah, I'm sure all those Nigerian cab drivers are all such golden angels.

          [–]the9trances 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Yeah, we should outlaw things like rape and murder to protect Uber riders.

          Hold on, I've gotta take this phone call. "Oh, what's that? We already have? Writing additional laws for things that are already illegal is fucking stupid? Yeah, I thought so." Here, it's for you.

          [–]extropy 3ポイント4ポイント  (5子コメント)

          We already have insurance and inspection requirements on our cars...

          [–]mgbesq 0ポイント1ポイント  (4子コメント)

          Certainly, and this job needs you to demonstrate that you actually have those things.

          [–]ThinkFirstThenSpeak 8ポイント9ポイント  (2子コメント)

          It already does.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Yeah, it's called registration and inspection, it's all done digitally and every resident driver of Texas gets this done annually.

          [–]brawndo89Upper Kirby 1ポイント2ポイント  (5子コメント)

          I have a question about uber pricing to the airport. Is there a higher rate applied, a flat airport fee, or something similar? I was thinking about ubering to the airport from the upper kirby area vs paying for parking there.

          [–]DoritosDewItRight 7ポイント8ポイント  (2子コメント)

          Upper Kirby-IAH is usually between $30-35 one way.

          [–]brawndo89Upper Kirby 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Awesome thanks. Seems like a good deal considering I can have someone pick up, but not drop me off.

          [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

          And a taxi is $50-$60

          [–]44problemsMuseum District 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Uber's app can give you an estimate. Just put in your origin and destination and hit "Fare Estimate." I've never seen it more expensive, in fact it is usually right in the middle of the range it provides. (Unless there is surge, and you get multiple warnings if there is.)

          I believe going to the airport is cheaper than leaving the airport, since the airport charges a fee for trips departing.

          [–]oSnapMillerTime 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

          It will vary. I've taken Uber to the airport at least 6 times and it has never been over $50 from Hwy6 and i10 area. However if your area is under a price surge, which you will see on the app, you may want to wait a few minutes for the surge to go away otherwise you could pay 1.2-2.5x the normal rate. Kirby im guessing to be about $30-$40

          [–]simmonsg 2ポイント3ポイント  (6子コメント)

          I have to say Ubers BS 28% take on top of low fares is more BS than the COH's requirements. Drivers should at LEAST get $5 a trip. I get a lot of $2-$3 trips and it fkn sucks. If it wasnt for surge pricing and airport trips I wouldnt do it. Who wants to spend 10-15 min driving for $2?

          Apparently you do, because you made the conscious(?) choice to become an Uber driver. Pick us up, drop us off. If you have complaints then I suggest looking for a new job.

          [–]oSnapMillerTime 22ポイント23ポイント  (5子コメント)

          I did this for the first time past weekend smart ass. I also have a real, full time job. So I can, quit, if I want to, and I will if im only getting $8 an hour and putting 100-200 miles on my car each day. The standard mileage allowance exceeds the profit ive been making. I'll also point out the people who do the Uber car lease program of $99 per week dont stand a chance of making those payments and a somewhat decent profit unless they work full days, every day. Im just saying COH is not all to blame here and adding my personal experience so far.

          [–]extropy 4ポイント5ポイント  (2子コメント)

          Supply and demand... If there are a lot of drivers then they'll drop the costs to get more riders. Drivers don't make enough, they quit, prices go up. It'll reach equilibrium, whatever that may be.

          [–]OldSpoiledMilk 11ポイント12ポイント  (0子コメント)

          Nah man you clearly just whining! I'm kidding, wear and tear on your car is not worth $8 an hour. That's bullshit, I made a shit load more money than that delivering takeout

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              [–]832HTX 133ポイント134ポイント  (87子コメント)

              We NEED ride-sharing services. Young adults will simply drive drunk if the alternative is staying home or going out and not drinking. The city of Houston is putting so many more people at risk than a lack of background checks for drivers ever could.

              [–]rechlinWest U 38ポイント39ポイント  (12子コメント)

              Why do people keep calling these "ride-sharing services"? It's just another form of taxi, just much better than Yellow Cab or any of the other alternatives.

              Really the only technical difference between Uber and Yellow Cab, ignoring price and experience differences, is that in Uber, nobody is anonymous and you hail rides with your smartphone rather than your arm (though good luck finding a Yellow Cab to hail with your arm in a city like Houston!).

              [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 27ポイント28ポイント  (6子コメント)

              Why do people keep calling these "ride-sharing services"?

              So that uber doesn't have to play by the same rules as yellow cab.

              Honestly, the uber technology isn't unique (sidecar, lyft, etc do the same thing)

              so if yellow cab just adopted the same model it could eat into ubers market share.

              [–]KEN_JAMES_bitch 5ポイント6ポイント  (4子コメント)

              Yellow cab and other taxi services have a limited number of medallions that allow the taxi driver to drive, and these are very valuable. The city only releases something like 100 new medallions a year. Basically the only way to get a lot of them and start a new company is to buy a taxi company in order to buy their medallions. If Yellow Cab just started letting anyone drive, all the current taxi drivers would be really really pissed as they had to pay something like $20,000 back in the day to get that medallion. In France, medallions cost $500,000 usd, hence the riots a while ago where taxi drivers were attacking uber drivers / passengers.

              It's a stupid system set up to force taxi companies pay the City of Houston to drive a car for hire.

              [–]InTheBreadbasket 6ポイント7ポイント  (3子コメント)

              I think what /u/emcitymisfit meant was if Yellowcab had a app like Uber. Something that actually worked unlike their HailACab app.

              [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 4ポイント5ポイント  (0子コメント)

              I've used it 3 times and 3 out of 3 times they never showed up!

              [–]KEN_JAMES_bitch 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

              Ah gotcha. I think I used the HailACab app a couple times like 5 years ago. It was actually easier than calling the dispatcher to get a taxi because the phone lines were always busy when trying to call.. Uber is a better app though, visually, UI wise..

              [–]InTheBreadbasket 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Yeah it's been a few years since I've used the app. When I did it was utter garbage. Maybe they've improved it?

              [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Houston City Council already ran Lyft out of town.

              [–]bigmaclt77 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Because they're sharing their personal car, not driving the company's

              [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Why do people keep calling these "ride-sharing services"?

              Because the Uber driver is a owner-operator. He is sharing his vehicle with you, even though you are paying him for privilege to do so.

              though good luck finding a Yellow Cab to hail with your arm in a city like Houston!

              I think it is actually illegal to hail a taxi with your arm in the City of Houston.

              [–]NocturnoOcculto 2ポイント3ポイント  (1子コメント)

              There is actually an anti-hailing ordinance in Houston. Youre supposed to have them dispatched.

              [–]mrpapasmurf1 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Do you know what the reasoning behind this is? Sounds ridiculous

              [–]Libertarian_Bro 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

              Because if I wanted to, I used to be able to just download the app, look for someone to pick up, and go work for an hour in my spare time. Now with all this regulation, if it isn't your main source of income, it hardly seems worth it. The regulation is creating the competition with taxis and breaking the intended business model.

              [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 11ポイント12ポイント  (1子コメント)

              Uber is putting so many more people at risk for a small portion of their margins and ability to not designate drivers as employees

              ftfy

              [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip 6ポイント7ポイント  (59子コメント)

              While I don't disagree, the argument of "If you don't change things we're all going to break the law" isn't a very strong one.

              [–]ThinkFirstThenSpeak 11ポイント12ポイント  (11子コメント)

              Yes it is.

              "If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."

              -Thomas Jefferson

              [–]Hustle-TownMidtown 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

              I get this, but everyone's definition of unjust is vastly different.

              コメントをもっと表示する (10 返事)

                [–]832HTX 27ポイント28ポイント  (4子コメント)

                Why not? You can't legislate the ideal society, especially not with the powers available to a municipal government. People will go out and drink. The city can either come to its senses and realize that less-extreme regulations haven't doomed other cities to roving gangs of Uber rapists, or they can put thousands of their citizens at risk every day.

                [–]xchaibard 35ポイント36ポイント  (0子コメント)

                the argument of "If you don't change things we're all going to break the law" isn't a very strong one.

                Yea, it's working great for the drug war, isn't it. No one smokes pt or uses drugs where it's illegal!

                [–]Ieateagles -1ポイント0ポイント  (38子コメント)

                Regardless, at the end of the day it will still be Houston putting lives at risk if Uber leaves.

                [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip 4ポイント5ポイント  (37子コメント)

                No, it wont. There are still alternatives to drinking and driving, just less preferable ones. No one is stopping you from using a Taxi Cab, designated Driver, The Wave, or hiring private transportation. All of those options are available, just not preferable *to Uber. At that point it is an individuals' choice to make - how much is saving $20 worth to you, knowing the consequences.

                *Edit: words

                [–]832HTX 56ポイント57ポイント  (17子コメント)

                They limit the number of taxis on the road and criminalize waiting outside for one if you're intoxicated. They require an obscene amount of parking at each bar, encouraging driving and reducing walkability. They shut down the limited public transportation options we do have early, and again, it's illegal to be intoxicated in public while you wait for the bus/train. They've lowered the blood alcohol limit from "wasted" to "buzzed" to "barely feeling it", and discourage establishments from providing any way to actually test if you are impaired or not.

                They've criminalized or eliminated almost any alternative to driving drunk. The only thing you can do is find someone who does not want to go out and have fun with you so they can safely drive you home. And now they are fighting to make what is basically an aggregation of that as hard as possible to operate.

                Fuck the city of Houston. Fuck them for putting lobbying dollars and police funds ahead of the safety of their citizens.

                [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip -2ポイント-1ポイント  (13子コメント)

                Fair. None of that changes the fact that when an individual, despite the alternatives available (without Uber), decides to drive drunk, that's on the individual.

                You can run afoul of those public intoxication laws waiting for an Uber, too.

                Uber shouldn't get to skirt Livery/cab certification laws just because it says so. They are entrusting peoples lives to these drivers, and basically asking the city to let them make up their own rules on who gets to drive, and the condition of that vehicle/their health.

                Again, I am 100% for Uber in Houston, but they need to be held to the same standard as their competition/peers, which are Taxi Cabs and Livery services, because thats what they are. Just because they decide to fuck their employee's doesn't mean they should be exempt from laws which require a basic standard of care for the customer.

                Your argument of "We cant ask someone to be the DD, that wouldn't be FUN" is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

                [–]zenlikeUpper Kirby 15ポイント16ポイント  (0子コメント)

                that's on the individual.

                And their victim.

                doesn't mean they should be exempt from laws which require a basic standard of care for the customer.

                You could also say that the cab certification laws create an artificial monopoly and that they are necessary because the cab industry hasn't advanced their technology since the 1950s.

                Not that I don't think Uber isn't shady. That is, the drivers are cool but I think the C-suite plays some dirty pool.

                [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 2ポイント3ポイント  (11子コメント)

                Just because they decide to fuck their employee's doesn't mean they should be exempt from laws which require a basic standard of care for the customer.

                Yeah, what a joke. Ride sharing is a taxi service. Play by the rules.

                [–]mainsworthMontrose 7ポイント8ポイント  (8子コメント)

                Which is ironic because the standard of care I expect from Uber is vastly higher than what I expect from a traditional taxi.

                [–]ThinkFirstThenSpeak 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

                Fuck the arbitrary rules

                [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                It's not a level playing field when competitors can never hope afford the compliance costs.

                Compliance Costs-Large corporations, entrenched industries, government-granted monopolies, and special interests groups can absorb compliance costs, knowing full well their weaker competitors attempting to enter the market cannot. This is a form of rent seeking.

                Regulatory-Special interest groups, unions, corporations, and powerful individuals use regulatory capture to seize the means of regulating markets in order to create regulations that harm or destroy competition.

                Rent Seeking-Rent seeking is the use of a company, organization or individual's resources to obtain economic gain from others without reciprocating any benefits to society through wealth creation. People are said to seek rents when they try to obtain benefits for themselves through the political arena. They typically do so by getting a subsidy for a good they produce, or for being in a particular class of people, or by getting a tariff on a good they produce, or by getting a special regulation that hampers their competitors.

                [–]houshutter 1ポイント2ポイント  (2子コメント)

                I think you forgot that the police no longer need to write up a person for public intoxication. now you're sent to the drunk tank to sober up....that is, unless you're belligerent while picking you up.

                so waiting outside for your ride fearing the cops would get you first is a pathetic excuse.

                [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

                My friend actually tried to walk home drunk from Flying Saucer and got a P.I.

                [–]houshutter 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                from what I understand, unless you're a danger to yourself or others, or being a serious asshole, they should have just driven him out to the drink tank and stoney him up.

                [–]pooquepoo 5ポイント6ポイント  (2子コメント)

                You can talk all you want how the individual is responsible for he decisions they make. And yeah, philosophically you're right. But doesn't change the fact that more people will choose to drive drunk.

                [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 4ポイント5ポイント  (1子コメント)

                more people will choose to drive drunk.

                if uber leaves

                [–]WavesOfFury 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

                more people will choose to drive drunk.

                if uber leaves

                Due to Houston's bullshit regulations.

                [–]TacoChrist 3ポイント4ポイント  (7子コメント)

                Because none of those options can be summoned easily whenever you need them with a handy app.

                [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip 8ポイント9ポイント  (1子コメント)

                I'm fairly certain that both The Wave and Yellow cab have an app.

                [–]SixMileDrive 4ポイント5ポイント  (0子コメント)

                Yeah, but Yellow cab doesn't reliably show up during busy times. Uber does.

                コメントをもっと表示する (5 返事)

                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                  What a naive and ignorant point of view. You think people are not going to drink and drive simply because it is illegal?

                  Speeding is illegal and guess what 80% of all Houston drivers do when they drive.

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                    コメントをもっと表示する (2 返事)

                      [–]ALoudMouthBaby 0ポイント1ポイント  (4子コメント)

                      We NEED ride-sharing services. Young adults will simply drive drunk if the alternative is staying home or going out and not drinking.

                      This is ridiculous. Its not like every cab company is leaving Houston too.

                      [–]SixMileDrive 20ポイント21ポイント  (1子コメント)

                      Do you know how many times I had to walk from downtown to midtown at 2 am because no cabs would come pick me up? Too many. Thank god Uber showed up in Houston. Same deal trying to get a cab in Montrose. Ridiculous.

                      [–]KEN_JAMES_bitch 12ポイント13ポイント  (0子コメント)

                      Yup. Lots of taxi dispatchers will tell you a cab is on the way and then none ever come... gotta walk to a hotel and pretend like you stayed there to get a taxi sometimes. Where as Uber takes less than 5 minutes and they come straight to you using GPS.

                      [–]MisallocatedRacismSpring Branch 18ポイント19ポイント  (0子コメント)

                      Fuck cabs. Half the time hey didn't ever show, and always try to pull the "my credit card machine is broken." It's really no comparison between Uber and cabs. People will absolutely do more drunk driving.

                      [–]Iwantaprilfoolsthisy 3ポイント4ポイント  (0子コメント)

                      It is 100% true. A few years ago everyone I knew ended up driving or would be driven by a drunk because there was no point waiting for a cab. Now no one would ris it with uber being available.

                      This will change if uber goes away

                      [–]oSnapMillerTime 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                      I agree with this.

                      コメントをもっと表示する (6 返事)

                        [–]the45one 39ポイント40ポイント  (1子コメント)

                        Good. Show these transplants the Houston way; driving all over the city while drunk and avoiding the cops.

                        [–]Obnoxious_liberalMontrose 73ポイント74ポイント  (55子コメント)

                        Uber claims this prevents drivers from coming on board. Its on Uber to make it worth their while. Pay your drivers more and they will line up to jump through hoops.

                        [–]BoilerMaker11 6ポイント7ポイント  (1子コメント)

                        When you have to pay $150 when it's all said and done and take a month to get everything completed (fingerprint checks are booked up weeks in advance at every convenient location. And by "convenient", I mean within 30 miles)....yea, it prevents drivers from coming on board. Has nothing to do with pay rates.

                        Unless you want the pay rates to go up (which I wouldn't mind, since I drive casually lol)....but then, the riders have to pay more. And the point of Uber is that it's the cheap alternative to taxis

                        [–]KEN_JAMES_bitch 6ポイント7ポイント  (0子コメント)

                        I'd pay more for Uber vs. Taxi any time just because of the convenience factor. It's why people go ahead and pay the surge prices instead of calling a taxi. Time is money.

                        [–]oSnapMillerTime 13ポイント14ポイント  (0子コメント)

                        I agree 100%.

                        [–]pinkflowers 9ポイント10ポイント  (1子コメント)

                        Exactly. This sounds like more of a company problem to me. The 4 months of training or whatever to get certified here is really not a big deal if you're going to get paid decently. That's like taking a technical course to get certified in anything. You have to put some time in.

                        [–]RudolphDiesel 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

                        Having been (past) an uber driver I can't agree more. Pay a living wage and you won't have the attrition that the 4months are a problem. BTW, those 4 months are BS as well. If you have you stuff together and are able to read what you need to bring you can get it all done inside 2weeks.

                        [–]coogieGalleria 10ポイント11ポイント  (11子コメント)

                        Uber is based on a system where the driver foots all of the expense and the driver and the general public share the risk. They are just waiting until self driving cars become mainstream so they can get rid of all these drivers so they aren't really a good corporate citizen.

                        [–]ezsmashing 7ポイント8ポイント  (10子コメント)

                        With that argument were cloth companies bad corporate citizens for using weaving machines instead of humans in the 1700's? Is Anheuser Busch a bad corporate citizen for using an automated bottling system instead of hand bottling? Is Microsoft a bad corporate citizen for developing advanced AI that could take jobs in the future? At what point exactly does innovation become bad corporate citizenship?

                        [–]ezsmashing 3ポイント4ポイント  (24子コメント)

                        It's not only about drivers at this point it's about useless regulation for regulation's sake.

                        The city presents the evidence that their permitting system ensures safety in the city. While it may feel good to state this there is nothing to prove that regulation is any better at persevering safety in the city than Uber's own internal background check system.

                        Does the fact that your driver has to be fingerprinted really ensure safety or make you feel safer when the Uber system itself already tracks the driver, their identity, SS #, etc?

                        This is the city and beauracracy creating unnecessary regulation that stifles competition, innovation, and does no public good.

                        [–]Obnoxious_liberalMontrose 2ポイント3ポイント  (23子コメント)

                        BS. Uber claims that because Houston is the only city that has actually regulated them. Professional drivers should have some basic vetting.

                        [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                        I'm sure Uber could pay drivers more if they didn't have to spend a fortune lobbying and suing city governments to be allowed to operate.

                        コメントをもっと表示する (12 返事)

                          [–]HTX-713 3ポイント4ポイント  (0子コメント)

                          Why does anyone have issues with an FBI background check? Seriously... Basically this is totally Ubers fault either way. Every other company pays for their employee on boarding costs and arranges any testing for them. Uber is a taxi service plain and simple. If they can't obey by the LAW then bye Felicia.

                          [–]Obnoxious_liberalMontrose 17ポイント18ポイント  (21子コメント)

                          Don't miss a key point in this- Uber wants to be able to have part-time drivers that aren't really treated like professional full-time drivers. They city seems to want to treat anyone driving other people around for money the same. I tend to agree with that.

                          [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip 11ポイント12ポイント  (15子コメント)

                          The crazy thing is, giving in to Uber would be the antithesis of capitalism. By allowing one company to operate by a separate set of rules than its competitors, the government would essentially be giving them a financial advantage over the industry.

                          [–]DoritosDewItRight 12ポイント13ポイント  (8子コメント)

                          If they got rid of these rules, Lyft would most likely return to Houston too.

                          [–]RockyPiRichmond Strip 5ポイント6ポイント  (5子コメント)

                          They absolutely would. But, and this is not intended to get into a much deeper political argument, if you can't make money following the rules the way everyone else is, then you either need to charge more or get out of business. If you can't make money at the rock bottom prices, you don't get to blame laws in place long before you came around and to which everyone else is held. There's a reason why prices are where they are. That is not to say that there shouldn't be more competition for cab companies, but slashing prices to an unprofitable amount (or paying drivers less than a living wage while not providing them benefits through the guise of being contractors) doesn't make Uber innovative, it makes it scummy.

                          [–]DoritosDewItRight 10ポイント11ポイント  (4子コメント)

                          The problem is that "the rules" were essentially designed to give a monopoly to Yellow Cab so that they could extract rent from everyone else. This was a very corrupt system that had nothing to do with protecting passengers and had everything to do with enriching the owners of taxicab medallions/licenses (who are generally not the same people as the drivers). I am glad that Uber destroyed their monopoly and forced them to finally compete.

                          [–]simmonsg 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

                          And I'd probably go back to taking Lyft half the time. Those drivers did not give a fuck. Uber for work, dinner and dates, but if I'm drunk and alone, give me the janky entertaining Lyft driver.

                          [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                          was there a marked difference between the two?

                          コメントをもっと表示する (6 返事)

                            [–]pooquepoo 5ポイント6ポイント  (4子コメント)

                            Most people would rather have a part time workforce and a reliable service than full time employees and shitty service (cabs)

                            [–]jefebarrio 4ポイント5ポイント  (0子コメント)

                            This would be the dumbest thing ever if Uber left.

                            [–]TwoChe 32ポイント33ポイント  (37子コメント)

                            If we lose Uber I will be so pissed.

                            [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 37ポイント38ポイント  (36子コメント)

                            I too will be pissed. At Uber. The company that is choosing to voluntarily leave a profitable market because it doesn't like that Houston's democratically passed laws cause it to make somewhat less money than it makes in other markets.

                            [–]Swordsteel 4ポイント5ポイント  (0子コメント)

                            Uber laws were democratically passed in Houston?

                            [–]TwoChe 15ポイント16ポイント  (32子コメント)

                            These laws are only passed because taxi companies lobby for restrictions. You are being played into supporting the shitty taxi industry.

                            Dont trust Uber drivers? Dont use uber. Dont fuck it up for us.

                            [–]THEMESSlAH 18ポイント19ポイント  (7子コメント)

                            ? Uber is the one to blame for leaving. No one is forcing them to leave, they're just trying to make a statement but by doing so, they're willingly losing tons of profits and customers.

                            [–]TwoChe 4ポイント5ポイント  (6子コメント)

                            The regulations are stupid. They are more onerous than other cities. Why are our restrictions so onerous and getting more onerous? My guess? the taxi lobby.

                            I am very happy with the quality of drivers I get from uber. They are even peer reviewed. I dont get that with yellow cab.

                            [–]HTX-713 0ポイント1ポイント  (5子コメント)

                            The regulations aren't stupid. Uber specifically doesn't want to perform the extended background checks because most of the target people that will drive for what they are paying will fail said checks. Uber pretty much said this themselves. The admittedly don't care about the safety of their riders and only care about money.

                            Edit for the lazy:

                            http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2016/04/27/uber-threatens-to-leavehouston.html?ana=e_hstn_bn_breakingnews

                            Uber also claims that 20,000 people have gone through Uber's screening process to become a driver, but did not proceed with the city's licensing process, saying that the process was too time consuming, complex and expensive. The majority of those respondents are minorities or from low-income neighborhoods, the letter said.

                            [–]TwoChe 15ポイント16ポイント  (4子コメント)

                            That is a blatant lie. Uber does perform background checks. They use a private third party and this is good for over 30 states and 200 million citizens. City of Houston insists on a fucking FBI background search. I do not need my uber driver going through a FBI background check. That is way the fuck over the top and downright stupid.

                            Uber pretty much said this themselves.

                            No, no they didnt. Stop making shit up.

                            https://newsroom.uber.com/us-texas/moving-houston-forward/

                            [–]BoilerMaker11 3ポイント4ポイント  (0子コメント)

                            It's no different from Tesla not being able to do its business in many cities. Car dealerships push for restrictions because the direct-to-consumer business model will ruin their old, antiquated business model.

                            I don't see how people who support the mayor aren't seeing the parallel.

                            [–]isleepinahammockWestchase 4ポイント5ポイント  (2子コメント)

                            You're buying into Uber's propaganda.

                            Uber has argued that old taxi systems are corrupt and outdated. In many ways they are correct. The old medallion system should be done away with, as that does mainly serve just to keep competition out of the market. Uber always likes to talk about how they're fighting against these corrupt entrenched interests.

                            However, that's not the full story. In addition to fighting the medallion system, they're also willfully ignoring many city's commercial driving regulations. A regulation that says you have to pass a drug test or have liability insurance is not an anti-competitive measure. These regulations serve to clearly protect the safety and welfare of citizens.

                            And no, the free market will not just magically sort this out. The problem with unsafe drivers is that they don't only risk hurting themselves and their passengers. They also risk hurting innocent bystanders. If I am driving down the road, and an Uber driver without commercial liability insurance strikes me, I'm SOL. Their personal drivers insurance won't cover the damage.

                            If Uber drivers could only potentially hurt their passengers and no one else, then sure, go as libertarian as you want. Let the market sort it out. Buyer beware, etc. But when an insured Uber driver has the potential to hurt, even when I am not their customer, it becomes my business.

                            [–]jking13 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                            Don't forget that they're also trying to play this game where their drivers aren't employees (so they don't have to pay payroll taxes, or any other other requirements), except when they want them to be treated like employees (because otherwise their pricing model would run afoul of collusion laws).

                            [–]Iwantaprilfoolsthisy 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                            Curious, what is the % of uber wrecks when compared to can wrecks ?

                            [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 9ポイント10ポイント  (18子コメント)

                            That's not how laws work. "Don't trust this building that doesn't meet the fire code? Don't go into it. Don't fuck it up for those of us that like to build cheap rickety structures."

                            I have no connection or love for the taxi industry. I am a fan of regulation of businesses in the interest of public safety & welfare. I am not a fan of businesses who try to defeat regulations for no other reason than increasing profitability.

                            [–]isleepinahammockWestchase 4ポイント5ポイント  (2子コメント)

                            "Don't trust this building that doesn't meet the fire code? Don't go into it. Don't fuck it up for those of us that like to build cheap rickety structures."

                            The real big problem with this, even if you accept a libertarian perspective, is that sometimes one person's risky behavior threatens an uninvolved third party.

                            For example, even if I'm willing to say, "you want to live in a fire trap of a building, fine, that's your business," such dangerous structures can still put me at risk. A rickety house may blow over in the wind and destroy my property. A fire started in one building can spread to another, etc.

                            In terms of Uber, an unsafe uninsured driver has the potential to hit an innocent third party. When you are operating a business that creates the great risk of injuring people who aren't even your customers, then it's time for the government to step in.

                            コメントをもっと表示する (15 返事)

                              コメントをもっと表示する (1 返事)

                                [–]simmonsg 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                It would ruin the legislation they've had enacted or will soon have enacted in other cities in the US. It will be better for them in the long run to leave Houston and come back when the city is ready to give them what they want (and what other cities are currently giving/planning on giving them (Austin Prop 1 for example).

                                コメントをもっと表示する (1 返事)

                                  [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 4ポイント5ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  Mayor is holding a press conference on this now. Basically saying that he wants Uber to stay AND follow the existing rules. https://twitter.com/Jevansdavis/status/725431494731259904

                                  [–]jb4647West U 17ポイント18ポイント  (5子コメント)

                                  Goddamn taxi lobby. Fucking it up for the rest of us.

                                  [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 22ポイント23ポイント  (29子コメント)

                                  Fuck Uber. If they can't be bothered to fingerprint their drivers then they shouldn't be allowed to operate here. We literally have evidence that Uber cannot be trusted to run its own background check process internally (http://www.chron.com/houston/article/Houston-Uber-driver-accused-of-rape-6177712.php).

                                  I'm sure that it must be a big bummer to them that we have "laws" and "rules" that apply to businesses. But if a billion-dollar company can't figure out how to comply with them, and wants to take its ball and go home, then I say good riddance.

                                  [–]isleepinahammockWestchase 6ポイント7ポイント  (2子コメント)

                                  Exactly. Sure, Uber and their supporters have a point when they decry traditional medallion systems and entrenched taxi monopolies. They have a legitimate complaint there. However, Uber has used this as a smokescreen to just ignore municipal laws all together.

                                  Requiring taxi drivers to purchase a limited-availability medallion is indeed BS and a complete anachronism. However, requiring drivers to pass a background check, have liability insurance, and a commercial drivers license are not illegitimate demands. These are things dearly needed to protect the public, not just to protect vested interests.

                                  [–]manute3392 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Uber already requires all drivers to have insurance and a drivers license. They have a national 3rd party that provides background checks on all drivers.

                                  http://www.idrivewithuber.com/uber-driver-requirements/

                                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  However, requiring drivers to pass a background check, have liability insurance, and a commercial drivers license are not illegitimate demands.

                                  Uber already does all those things.

                                  [–]DoritosDewItRight 7ポイント8ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  How exactly would following the city's process have prevented that rape?

                                  Since the matters are more than a decade old, Burton would have passed both the city and Uber's background check process, which check for criminal violations going back 10 and seven years, respectively.

                                  Source

                                  [–]Reeko_HtownHobby 13ポイント14ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  grand jury found no evidence to charge the guy with rape. Remember the women even said she was drunk out of her mind.

                                  [–]simmonsg 21ポイント22ポイント  (5子コメント)

                                  Sure, bring up that same tired article about that one POS human who would not have triggered anything on a BG check as your example.

                                  [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 7ポイント8ポイント  (4子コメント)

                                  in this article (http://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/Uber-threatens-to-leave-Houston-7379011.php) it says "Houston officials said he would have failed their background check because of a prior federal drug conviction, which Uber’s background check did not catch." However, it also notes that a grand jury failed to indict him, so point for you on that I guess.

                                  [–]simmonsg 18ポイント19ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Technically correct is best correct.

                                  [–]Toastar-tablet 1ポイント2ポイント  (2子コメント)

                                  Wait being accused of a crime is enough to bar you from a government commercial license? Isn't that a clear due process violation?

                                  [–]nemecThe Woodlands 4ポイント5ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  They didn't indict him on the sexual assault charge. He was actually convicted of his drug offense.

                                  [–]MSBeta1421The Heights 4ポイント5ポイント  (4子コメント)

                                  Agreed. Plus, I don't think there is any way Uber will pull out of Houston. We are likely one of their largest revenue sources considering our sprawl and population. Additionally, they're testing the whole Uber Eats thing here.

                                  [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 4ポイント5ポイント  (3子コメント)

                                  I agree that it remains to be seen whether they actually would pull out (what happens in Austin with prop 1 will be a big clue), but I think there whole attitude regarding the democratic process is reprehensible.

                                  [–]MSBeta1421The Heights 1ポイント2ポイント  (2子コメント)

                                  Yeah. I mean on business terms I don't blame them. A company's goal is to turn max profit at the end of the day. Just unfortunate that it could come at the expense of customer safety.

                                  [–]TwoChe 3ポイント4ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  Who are these customers being endangered by uber drivers? Uber reduces drunk driving by a ton, that is a way better trade off.

                                  [–]MSBeta1421The Heights 2ポイント3ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  I said "could come". As in one could argue that not having BCs on drivers could result in someone operating for Uber with malicious intent. I personally love Uber, but they are objecting to something that plenty of other businesses require for the sole purpose of improving the bottom line.

                                  And that's not to say BCs would make it a whole lot more safe (wouldn't catch first offenders for example), it just doesn't seem like refusing a basic BC is the most ethical thing they could do.

                                  [–]DoritosDewItRight 6ポイント7ポイント  (10子コメント)

                                  I would agree with you if it was Uber alone that was throwing a fit over these regulations, but Lyft pulled out of Houston for the same reason. If the city insists on protecting Yellow Cab's former monopoly enforcing far more onerous regulations than any other Texas city, I'll definitely be attending the next City Council meeting and expressing my feelings about it.

                                  [–]Toastar-tablet 2ポイント3ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  enforcing far more onerous regulations than any other Texas city,

                                  It should be noted that austin , dallas, galveston, midland, and corpus All also require the same level of scrutiny. Houston and dallas are the only ones uber has played ball with.

                                  [–]some_kind_of_benMontrose 6ポイント7ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  I have a hard time defining the regulations as onerous when Uber operated here perfectly fine for over a year. Perhaps it cut into their profitability (perhaps it also threw some kinks in their legal argument that drivers are independent contractors and not employees), but it certainly did not prevent them from operating and growing substantially.

                                  I know its only anecdotal, but I have never ever had a problem getting an Uber in a reasonable amount of time in Houston. If this rule really is causing a driver shortage, its very hard to tell.

                                  [–]emcitymisfitThe Heights 4ポイント5ポイント  (6子コメント)

                                  onerous regulations

                                  Seriously?

                                  [–]TwoChe 1ポイント2ポイント  (5子コメント)

                                  Yes. They are a freaking uber driver and they go through more rigorous background checks than daycare teachers. Drug testing? Come on. I dont care if my driver is a pothead or a coke head. Just dont be high when you give me a ride. And if I feel they are high I will stop and leave, rate them a 1 and report them to uber.

                                  [–]mpuckett259EaDo 5ポイント6ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  more rigorous background checks than daycare teachers

                                  Oh my God this. People don't understand how little effort goes into making sure their kid's teachers aren't crazy or drug addicts or whatever. If people legitimately cared they would be up in arms about how loose teacher background checks are haha.

                                  [–]isleepinahammockWestchase 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  They are a freaking uber driver and they go through more rigorous background checks than daycare teachers.

                                  That makes a lot of sense if you think about it. A driver can actually cause a lot more damage than a daycare provider. More importantly, the daycare teacher will be working with other employees all day long. People will be constantly observing them. If they have violent tendencies or show up drunk or high, people will know. Their employer gets to observe them directly for long periods of time.

                                  The background check is way more important for Uber than for the daycare. And plus, a two ton vehicle driving 70 mph can cause a hell of a lot more damage than if someone shows high to their daycare teacher job.

                                  Uber drivers should certainly have a stricter background check than daycare teachers.

                                  [–]BigDowntownRobot 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Not defending uber in this case but those are arguments for screening all drivers, not just uber drivers. We allow ex violent offenders licenses even felons, and everyone applying to uber already has a supposedly legal drivers license. It's not ubers (or a cab companies) obligations to see who is capable of driving, the DMV does that.

                                  So really the only difference to the public is they spend a little longer in them every day than the normal 100-ish minutes your average person does.

                                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  I don't care if I have to ride in the back of garbage truck driven by an illegal immigrant MS-13 gang member high on meth. I want a cheap ride to the airport! And I'm NOT being sarcastic!

                                  [–]jb4647West U 7ポイント8ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Okay Yellow Cab Driver...

                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gHqYddtmNU

                                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Accused of rape?

                                  Here's a taxi driver convicted of rape. "FUCK TAXIS. THEY FINGERPRINT THEIR DRIVERS AND THEIR DRIVERS STILL RAPE! THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE HERE!"

                                  "WE LITERALLY HAVE EVIDENCE THAT TAXI COMPANIES CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH THE GOVERNMENT BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS INTERNALLY!!"

                                  "I'm sure that it must be a big bummer to them that we have "laws" and "rules" that apply to government-granted monopolies. But if a government granted monopoly can't figure out how to comply with them, and wants to take its ball and go home, then I say good riddance."

                                  [–]pooquepoo 5ポイント6ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  All that is accomplished by uber leaving is more drunk drivers in the city of Houston.

                                  Do some of the uber haters on here forget how terrible cab service is?

                                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  It doesn't matter. The government is always right. The government never makes mistakes. Any actions taken by private companies are evil. Voluntary agreements between individuals are evil. The government should maintain totalitarian control over every aspect of our lives.

                                  /s

                                  [–]Doodarazumas 5ポイント6ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Is there any piece of writing that drips with more sneering condescension than the average uber press release?

                                  [–]GodIsReal87 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  ITT: People spouting out their immediate emotional reaction to the headline before looking into the details of the matter. Go to around the 14:50 mark https://www.facebook.com/ABC13MiyaShay/videos/1082972185098778/

                                  [–]RudolphDiesel 1ポイント2ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                  I was driving for Uber for a few weeks last year, but if you are doing the math, at the end of the day, the pay is worse than bad. After two months I did the calculation that it was not worth the additional use on the car and quit.

                                  If Uber would pay a living wage instead of pushing all the costs to the drivers they have problems keeping drivers. I am certain that just like I many others come to the same conclusion and quit. The steps the city put in place are not overly problematic, and are in fact quite what one would expect. Aka the car that is being used needs to be in roadworthy condition. The driver needs to be in roadworthy condition and not have felonies or outstanding warrants and such.

                                  So, ... Come on, Uber. Instead of saber rattling and pouting and threatening to take you ball to go home and quit playing, just pay your drivers a rate they stay, then all that brouhaha is a mute point.

                                  [–]TotesMessenger 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

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                                  [–]RedVanguardBot 1ポイント2ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  This thread has been targeted by a possible downvote-brigade from /r/Shitstatistssay

                                  Members of /r/Shitstatistssay participating in this thread:

                                  ★ With socialism will come the end of all of the many forms of oppression used by the capitalist system, including that faced by women. While capitalism relied upon strict gender roles, socialism would do away with this repressive pigeonholing of individuals. --Rachel Gibbs&Claire Martin ★

                                  [–]HTX-713 -1ポイント0ポイント  (5子コメント)

                                  Fuck Uber. They DO NOT care about their riders, only profiting off the back of dangerous drivers. I don't understand why anyone is on their side. If you read Uber's statement, they basically said "Most of our part time drivers are minorities that cannot pass a background check.".

                                  It would be obvious that you need to pay more to get qualified people, but instead people in this thread don't care that their driver is only making a few bucks to drive you from one part of town to another and has to drive recklessly in order to make a profit.

                                  [–]thikthirdMontrose 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  Peace out uber

                                  [–]eadochas 2ポイント3ポイント  (3子コメント)

                                  Fuck any company that tries to extort the democratic process.

                                  [–]Iwantaprilfoolsthisy 2ポイント3ポイント  (2子コメント)

                                  What does this even mean.

                                  [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                  It means the government is always right. The government never makes mistakes. Any actions taken by private companies are evil. Voluntary agreements between individuals are evil. The government should maintain totalitarian control over every aspect of our lives!

                                  コメントをもっと表示する (1 返事)

                                    [–]martinjoe91 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                    mayor turner responds

                                    [–]simmonsg -5ポイント-4ポイント  (6子コメント)

                                    San Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc. has threatened to halt operations in the city of Houston if the city does not change its ridesharing regulations around new driver signups.

                                    The COH better fucking make some changes.

                                    [–]generalpao 0ポイント1ポイント  (5子コメント)

                                    COH is run by garbage tier retards.

                                    [–]smellyhoustonian 5ポイント6ポイント  (4子コメント)

                                    Says a person whose username is inspired by comparing a woman who wouldn't let you make fun of fat people on the internet to a brutal dictator.

                                    [–]Blue_Rhythmic_Eagle 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                    LOL WTF. Your user name implies that you smell! Probably like garbage. Which means you're garbage tier. Which means you probably work for COH, which is why you're so offended.

                                    コメントをもっと表示する (3 返事)

                                      [–]bellsofwar3 0ポイント1ポイント  (0子コメント)

                                      Meh. I won't miss it.

                                      [–]chipr 0ポイント1ポイント  (1子コメント)

                                      Hi, Chip from Austin here. Y'all do realize this announcement is completely about the Prop 1 election going on here (currently in early voting). Uber has been pulling out all the stops, trying to sway the election. They even got the US Chamber of Commerce to write the US Secretary of Transportation to undermine our Smart Cities grant application if the vote doesn't go their way.

                                      I watched the video of Mayor Turner's press conference. He asked what's changed between the time he last met with Uber reps months ago and today, when he received the letter. I'll tell you what's changed: Prop 1 in Austin.

                                      Edit: here's a link to info on that US Chamber of Commerce thing: http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-04-24/more-strongarming-from-uber-and-lyft/

                                      コメントをもっと表示する (8 返事)