this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
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"Our business model isn't sustainable unless we remove worker rights"
luckely everyone has become wary of what these tech bros startups are all about. Tech companies like this just add extra steps to a preexisting business and pride themselves of being innovative
But but but, there's an app, surely that's worth all the downsides right.
Don’t forget consumer protections!
Uber somehow managed to convince people that it’s not their fault if their drivers don’t follow traffic laws, drive intoxicated, and assault people.
I forgot how we didn't have taxis until uber came around.
Right, let's not forget we already have an even shittier version of uber.
Taxis also use a platform to function. They have radio dispatch, they rent cars to drivers, they have digital platforms with online orders.
Taxi companies traditionally stiff their drivers out of benefits too, and are typically in bed with local administration and politicians so they never get called out on it.
Their online platforms have ratings you can't rely on, there's fake cabs, fake meters, ghost drivers, cash only, angry drivers, dirty and broken cars, aggressive and unsafe driving etc.
So if your point is that taxi companies will fill back the demand after Uber is gone that's true, but it won't change anything for the drivers.
In fact many of the Uber drivers will be permanently out of the picture because they're not pro drivers and are not familiar with the more cut throat taxi business.
That's lots of accusations and most of them do not fit for western Europe at all.
Obviously, you have no clue.
You must be young or just ignorant of the history of taxis in general, even in what is apparently your idolizing view of those in western Europe.
Taxi services are worldwide known to be protectionist, corrupt, and sus. Its why Uber and similar disruptive alternatives were able to grow.
Uber might be trash, but its just mimicking traditional taxi services by doing whatever it can to squeeze another dollar out by fucking over drivers.
Have you remembered just how shitty taxi's were?
I'm sorry but taxis were never as bad as Uber. Taxis had actual rules and regulations that they would abide by. I never saw a taxi driver run an endless shift like they would as an uber driver that jeopardizes the health/safety of the driver/passenger. Also, taxis actually followed proper maintenance of their vehicle. I've seen one too many uber's that looked like the driver didn't give a shit.
Surge pricing wasn't a thing until uber because taxis actually stuck to a standard pricing; you knew what to expect. Uber was an answer to a problem that was already solved long ago.
They were (and still are) worse than Uber in my city and not just for riders. A lot of Uber drivers here used to be Taxi drivers, tried Uber in their personal car, and quickly decided it's better to be an Uber driver.
That sounds more like a problem with your city and less like a problem with taxis in general.
And honestly, that sounds like it could have a theoretically straightforward solution:
Either tie taxis to the transit network, optionally with an app, or create an Uber-esque app specifically for legitimate, professional taxis. And in either case, optimise these services for the end-user experience.
Not as shitty as Uber?
Ehhhh... No, now Uber has to contribute to the social security for those workers. And pay then for annual leave.
This is an article about EU.
You responded to a comment talking about workers rights, not social security. And neither of these are unique to the US, did you really think that?
https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/wps/portal/sede/sede/Ciudadanos
Took me 10 seconds to find the social security website for Spain. Which, contrary to popular belief, is not a state of the US.
So yeah... Wrong again.
Edit: even with different names, all counties in EU have similar methods. This is one, fell free to search for others
https://www.seg-social.es/wps/portal/wss/internet/Inicio?changeLanguage=en