Uber
- This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated Oct 17, 2014 at 8:04 am by
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It occurred to me the other day that–especially for us metro fishermen–Uber offers a great opportunity to pay someone else peanuts to basically run our shuttles for us.
My standard operating procedure is to carry a bike lock with me when I fish. I lock my boat over to a railing at the end of a float while I go up to get my vehicle, typically with another angler.
If you were going the Uber route you’d want to have a lockable bag of some sort, probably, just to seal away all your accoutrements. I don’t imagine the shuttle driver would take too kindly to you getting in his car all wet and dirty, so a backup pair of flip flops and a towel is probably also in order.
Anyone tried this? Have any tips on how not to get stranded?
Zach
Uber has been fined in several areas, including Tampa and Berlin, Germany, for operating an unlicensed taxi service. It will be interesting to see if they can survive in the long run. I’m not sure what the difference is between Uber and gypsy cabs, other than the organizational structure.
Zach…..when floating the Hooch in the driftboat….I used a taxi service. Once they realized I was not a crook trying to lure them to an obscure boat ramp…..it worked well.
Of course in a very rural area….this would prove difficult.
That is an interesting idea. Would not work where I fish, heck cell phones don’t even work. But for a more urban locale, definitely. BTW Zach, I have not used Uber, only their competitor Lyft. Having both apps I think increases your chance of a driver. I have only used Lyft twice, but excellent both times. For planning costs, about $2 per mile, and often less.
On the subject of personal sharing, I have also used relayrides.com for renting a vehicle from a local. That has worked out well for me and there are all types of vehicles for rent. Certainly something you don’t feel guilty throwing waders and fishing gear in. Check it out.
(no personal investment in any of these, just a casual user with limited but good experiences)
Uber has been fined in several areas, including Tampa and Berlin, Germany, for operating an unlicensed taxi service. It will be interesting to see if they can survive in the long run. I’m not sure what the difference is between Uber and gypsy cabs, other than the organizational structure.
Uber, AirBNB, etc are all under attack from both taxing authorities and entrenched business interests (hotel industry, taxi industry, etc).
But compared to gypsy drivers you have an app with a map to book, immediate response, a driver with a rating, insurance, etc. My limited experiences were actually very positive.
I think it opens up some new avenue’s for us traveling fisherman…
What exactly is a gypsy cab? I’m not familiar with that.
And Steve do you mind sharing what the prices typically were for a taxicab “shuttle”?
Zach
A gypsy cab is an unlicensed cab. There are certain regulations related to public safety that licensed taxi’s have to abide by, along with testing for competency as a driver. Gypsy drivers do not comply with either, they just say they are a cab driver. From what I can tell, this is the same with Uber drivers.
To me, it is comparable to hiring a lawyer who just says he is a lawyer, but never attended law school or passed the bar.
It’s been a few years since I used the taxi but I believe it was about $25 bucks to take me from Jones Bridge boat ramp back to Medlock. The cabbie had difficulty finding the boat ramp the first time….but once he figured out what I was doing…it went smoothly on the next trip.
That’s really cool Steve.
My thinking is, I could drop in at Johnson Ferry (if I am in my long-desired driftboat) or at Powers Island (if I am in anything else) and float to the new ramp at highway 41, call uber, lock off my equipment, then ride back up and get my vehicle. Way more convenient than begging a friend to shuttle me or paddling back up myself.
Zach
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