I ordered a cab as usual on a Saturday night and was blessed to see my white old plastic seat covered chariot with the normal non communative driver. I was happy that the meter was already running. I got the driver that drives as fast as possible without due car and attention with no regard for the road rules or other road users. A couple of times i said ah mate as in an effort to air my concerns and was greeted with the stone like demeanor. To top it off on arrival the bloke asked for more cash than on the meter. I questioned this and was offered a brochure with an extra cost for all occasion.

At the pub a friend puts me on to Uber. Leather seat clean and two thirds the price. Swan taxis are the ugly duckling. Here here for a free market and I hope the gov does not restrict this service And bog it down with regulation.

If you were raped or robbed in the cab (unlikely) would you be happy for the mandatory CCTV?

When it is deregulated and it all turns to crap cos there is a million drivers trying to do it for 1c per kilometre like Asian tricyle things will have have moved forward or back...? I doubt anyone will be saying "yay Uber started the price war..."

I don't believe necessarily in protecting the current taxi industry or the model we have, and I do lament the loss of the normal communicative human driver (even with some driving skills) .... but OTOH we introduced regulation for some good reasons. I can see with Uber and whatever comes next, it all getting worse and worse until some bright spark suggests regulation again in 2030 - 2040 - 2050 - when will it be...?

I see your point. You do get a snap shot of the driver his license and the rego plate Sent to your phone prior to entering. It's about choice I've made mine

If only we all passed on negative feedback to the cab companies. They'd almost certainly respond by weeding out the worst drivers, which would motivate others to lift their game. Simple feedback, simple results, all the safety regulations in place, everyone wins except a few drivers that shouldn't be on the road anyway. Uber shouldn't be necessary and IMHO is a backward step to allow them to do what they want.

Uber has been outlawed in NSW and Qld and the WA taxi industry is waiting for a decision to be made later this month. I've had many discussions with many Taxi drivers and the vast majority are looking forward to giving the finger to Swan Taxis and working for Uber. Their attitude may change with time. I have used a lot of taxis in the past and I have been a convert to Uber. I can request the same driver with a car that is great to ride in. I will be sad to see it go if it is shut down here as well.

Hamsta, youve always been able to do that, it's called a limousine. It also comes with the security of police and vehicle safety checks. Sure, the taxi systems nation wide could be improved, but that doesnt mean it is ok for companies to come in and totally disregard our existing systems and do what they want without scrutiny. There is a right and a wrong way to do things, Im all for shaking thungs up, but in the right way.

Safety in relation to the driver or vehicle really should not be a factor in this debate. There are so many dodgy vehicles and just as many if not more dodgy drivers out there using registered taxis. Many awful things are done to vulnerable people in 'legal' taxis.

I think it should be mandatory for any hire vehicle driver to consent to a photograph of their face and license being taken by a passenger upon request so as that can be forwarded to a third party.

There is no right/nice way to shake up this industry. Anyone trying through normal regulatory channels would be shut down by the major industry players long be fore they put wheels on the road. Uber's f you attitude is the shake up taxi's need. All they can currently do is whinge about it, not treat it as an opportunity to lift their game. Arrogance is another reason to use Uber. Taxi drivers feel they can party/obstruct traffic any where they please. A 2 car taxi parking bay is provided at my local train station. There are regularly 4 or more cabs parked in drop off bays causing vehicles to have to stop in the no stopping zone to drop off their passengers. This in turn causes the traffic to bank up. The drivers are either standing around smoking or in their vehicles watching this happen.
Uber is easy. Clean vehicle, on time, your own tunes and a bottle of water. Pre paid and you are on your way. Love it.

I live in the Hills area of Perth. It is usually around $70 from the city in a Taxi. Uber was approx $40. As far as the safety argument of Uber, I am a grown up. I will make my choice and take the chance. It is a hell of a lot safer than walking around the city on your own at some stupid time in the morning trying to get a cab home. I know the cab drivers shouldn't, but they do when I give them my address, kick me out. "Too far too far, I finish in half an hour"...

On top of that, Uber offer a service that I expect. They are on time, they have never said no to a booking, they have never said "we will have a driver for you within the next TWO HOURS ", they are clean cars, friendly drivers, and I have never been asked how to get there. Biggest thing is you don't pay your fare with a plus, plus, plus added to it. You pre-pay, and that's it. I will take my chances of not having a CCTV in the car for all the positives.

I usually would agree that there are is a right way and a wrong way to shake up an industry. The WA taxi industry have had their chance and blew it. Uber has my support.

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Cal said..
Hamsta, youve always been able to do that, it's called a limousine. It also comes with the security of police and vehicle safety checks. Sure, the taxi systems nation wide could be improved, but that doesnt mean it is ok for companies to come in and totally disregard our existing systems and do what they want without scrutiny. There is a right and a wrong way to do things, Im all for shaking thungs up, but in the right way.

For sure, this option has always been there I agree. However, me personally I'd rather live vicariously for 45 minutes and get to ride in an unmarked Audi A8 than some ridiculous limo, and I get a hefty discount on every tenth fare to boot. For me, it is actually cheaper than hiring a PT. As beastsurf mentioned above, there is a degree of security with Uber, as the passenger receives the drivers details in advance and can request another driver if they feel uncomfortable for any reason. I would go as far as to say that Uber offers drivers less anonymity than a regular cab in some circumstances. Passengers can rate drivers on the Uber system as well, give good reviews for drivers who do an efficient job.

The other side of this is that from a drivers perspective, there is no physical money exchanged during the job. There can be no arguing over the fare if there are multiple passengers in the cab, this is all taken care of prior to the cabs arrival. The other positive outcome mentioned by the drivers I have used is that they don't have to suffer the idiots who would cause problems for them. If people are too intoxicated to use the app then they don't want their business anyway as the fare is typically more trouble than it is worth.

I've had great Taxi drivers for the past 12+ years, I've only ever had 1 bad experience and I think the driver was unwell. The vibe I get from a lot of drivers is that Swan Taxis treat their employees quite poorly in subtle and not so subtle ways, and this includes owner drivers too.

EDIT: I think that there will always be a supply of Taxis specific to meet the needs of disabled people, I don't think Uber will have a negative impact upon these clients...at least I hope not.

I know alot on this topic. Wont say how. But Uber can charge lower fares because they are not paying fees like taxis. Those fees which the government puts back into our roads. Their app might seem simple and wonderful now, with super fast taxis but as they are new they are smaller and able to be more accomadating. If they were as big as Swans their app would fail. They cant take disabled and are not classed as public transport, which means all normal baby seat laws apply. They have no tech support should a fault happen, drivers can drive for long periods without rest unlike Swans which have time limits a driver can drive. There is no tracking lost property either in Uber. If you are a female in an Uber car and he drives you to middle of no where and threatens you, you cant call a call centre and be tracked. You are on your own. Personaly Id rather not drink and just drive my own car. But Id choose a taxi over Uber any day.

My point with taxis was the CCTV. A pic of the driver and his rego does prove who your Uber driver is - but not prove what he did or did not do if something goes wrong

Then deregulation leading to poor standards. We would not deregulate the restaurants just cos there are some with poor service so lets just allow anyone to have a crack.

I haven't used uber yet, but everyone we know who does and a few use them weekly wont use a taxi whilst uber is around. As stated above, its not just the cost but the quality of car you get and a driver who can actually drive.
Which i always find funny as being a taxi driver puts you in the "professional driver" group and yet nearly every taxi I've been in none can drive for ****.

Anyway im all for it, as i believe as long as taxi companies keep dishing up what they do it makes people drink and drive. (Something i don't condone)

And its obviously got our state government doing something.

www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-04/taxi-industry-review-to-look-at-fares-drivers-pay-and-safety/6522514

I think many people feel they have been ripped off by taxis at least once. Where as I'm sure it can happen with Uber, but I believe their technology gives better safeguards against this.

Also there is nothing like a bit of deregulation to keep them honest.

I've been remarkably interested and amazed at the number of taxi drivers who I've asked for their opinion - numerous have indicated that they want Uber to be allowed so as to break the taxi industry's power & to increase standards.
Haven't yet used Uber though....

I am sure that all the "legal" taxi industry wants is a level playing field.

I can't say I know much about how the taxi industry operates other than there is a huge cost for the licence. Why not deregulate, as long as operators meet the agreed standard , why shouldn't there be twice as many? Does anyone know why taxi licences are controlled to tightly?

Last weekend I had to collect the Sandwichmaker and one of her cohorts from Inglewood pub after an evening out.

There were a heap of people waiting for cabs that hadn't shown up - but also a steady stream of happy customers being "Uber-ed" home or to other venues.

I had several offers from could-a-been cab customers thinking I was an Uber driver, asking me for lifts.

I am temped to give Uber driving a go myself - the extra income would be handy, but until it is "proper" legit I will pass.

By the time the girls arrived and poured themselves into our car, Uber savvy pub goers had educated the cab-less punters -and some were already on the way home before we left.

The "Proper taxi industry" need to wake up and get their act together

stephen

One thing I really don't get about these "uber happy customers" is that their main complaint about the (Melbourne) taxi drivers was "those indians who don't know where they going and don't speak English".
Well, most of the uber drivers (in Melbourne) are the same mob, just using their private cars instead of regulated cabs. BUT, All of the sudden everybody are happy now ? Really ?
Or is it a just convenience of booking app ? Use your local booking apps then like "GoCatch", "InGoGo" etc. , they are no different to Uber in terms of convenience and there is nothing doggy about them because they are comply with the regulations.
And they are the Aussie apps.
EDIT: My opinion based only on my Melbourne experience.
I had to catch a few cabs when I was in Gold Coast though and it was pretty much the same: you get a good driver and you get a bad driver who got no idea and talking to India on his phone while driving.

EDIT2: I'am pretty sure not many people heard of the local booking apps, because the local booking apps don't have so much money for throwing free rides and buy the media whores. But they are there. And I would really like to hear from someone explaining to me why the app like "Uber" is better than, say "GoCatch" app.

Haha talking to India at the same time...?
You just reminded me

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dmitri said..
One thing I really don't get about these "uber happy customers" is that their main complaint about the (Melbourne) taxi drivers was "those indians who don't know where they going and don't speak English".
Well, most of the uber drivers (in Melbourne) are the same mob, just using their private cars instead of regulated cabs. BUT, All of the sudden everybody are happy now ? Really ?
Or is it a just convenience of booking app ? Use your local booking apps then like "GoCatch", "InGoGo" etc. , they are no different to Uber in terms of convenience and there is nothing doggy about them because they are comply with the regulations.
And they are the Aussie apps.
EDIT: My opinion based only on my Melbourne experience.
I had to catch a few cabs when I was in Gold Coast though and it was pretty much the same: you get a good driver and you get a bad driver who got no idea and talking to India on his phone while driving.

EDIT2: I'am pretty sure not many people heard of the local booking apps, because the local booking apps don't have so much money for throwing free rides and buy the media whores. But they are there. And I would really like to hear from someone explaining to me why the app like "Uber" is better than, say "GoCatch" app.

The "apps" probably are as good as each other, I'd say the "app" isn't the problem. It's the end product thats the difference. I've used an adelaide taxi app before, you can book and track your cab. But guess what, all it did was show me how bloody slow and late it was to get to me, nothing extra comes from it.
Still copped an indian that was more interested in talking and texting on his personal phone. Which i reported, as he would accelerate and stop with almost whiplash results in stop start traffic.

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Cal said..
If only we all passed on negative feedback to the cab companies. They'd almost certainly respond by weeding out the worst drivers, which would motivate others to lift their game. Simple feedback, simple results, all the safety regulations in place, everyone wins except a few drivers that shouldn't be on the road anyway. Uber shouldn't be necessary and IMHO is a backward step to allow them to do what they want.

I doubt it as the pay is very lame and not a lot of peeps are happy to take a pittance to get abused, robbed and bashed. As we say when you pay peanuts.......

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Mark _australia said..
My point with taxis was the CCTV. A pic of the driver and his rego does prove who your Uber driver is - but not prove what he did or did not do if something goes wrong

Then deregulation leading to poor standards. We would not deregulate the restaurants just cos there are some with poor service so lets just allow anyone to have a crack.

have to agree with you Mark , once the freerangers get a hold I think we will start to see allsorts of bad stuff.
I can just imagine somebody going to thier insurer and saying " i was in a crash in a taxi , and havent been able to contact the driver since the accident to sot out my injury claim ."and the insurer rplying "what taxi?"
my wife does alot of taxi airport runs in melbourne and recently had a shocker , who was watching a DVD AND using his phone whilst driving. Next day she emailed cab co with details a and driver details, and recieved a refund the same day to her account , plus future taxi vouchers and an apology.
crap taxi drivers get away with being crap because people complain to the wrong people

If you want whatever assurance a CCTV camera will give you, you have a choice and can still catch a taxi. But if I was in that cab with your missus landyacht, I would've gotten out of the cab and made a call then and there. You can't complain when your dead.

I find it strange some have a very blinkered view on this matter.
We all know we have been ripped off with the Taxi charges but when a viable alternative arrives they poo poo it.

Uber is a positive step, without them no change would happen, no positive discussion would happen ( apart from complaining about the cost of a taxi, the fact most drivers do not have a clue where they are going, not knowing when it wil be arriving, already having $$ on the meter before have even set off!!!, not having change, having a bad attitude, not speaking English, and on an on, in forums like this).

Competition is a great think, it creates innovation, it pushes boundaries, it is needed.

The CCTV in cabs is a newish security step. We before this, they we overpriced and regulated.

No surprises that the Taxi Industry is somewhat self regulated, with the assistance of the RTA they have been able to lock the competition out.

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KEAW YED said..
I find it strange some have a very blinkered view on this matter.
We all know we have been ripped off with the Taxi charges but when a viable alternative arrives they poo poo it.

Uber is a positive step, without them no change would happen, no positive discussion would happen ( apart from complaining about the cost of a taxi, the fact most drivers do not have a clue where they are going, not knowing when it wil be arriving, already having $$ on the meter before have even set off!!!, not having change, having a bad attitude, not speaking English, and on an on, in forums like this).

Competition is a great think, it creates innovation, it pushes boundaries, it is needed.

I find it very strange that people can use their private cars as taxis in very regulated county like Australia.

If you want drive an "uber" car, say in Melbourne, you need to buy a VH car license of the Govermint for $40K and get a driving certificate. That is a law.

EDIT Few people actually did that at very beginning, doing a right thing. How would they feel now, I wonder.

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Mark _australia said..

If you were raped or robbed in the cab (unlikely) would you be happy for the mandatory CCTV?

What a load of Jibber Jabber...in London unregulated min cabs are everywhere and in 5 years I never had one issue withany of them, neither did anyone I know.

Fare is agreed upon at the start of the journey and paid at the end...everyone goes home happy

I once saw a sign on an overseas cab that said, "English speaking driver"

I thought, "What a good idea, would should have them in Australia"!

I actually caught a cab today! first time in yonks.
From St John's, in Subi - to Johnny Hughes in East Vic Park to pick up a Toyota Porte for the boss.

One of those funny London cabs - and must say I was pretty impressed with them compared to the usual falcodores that usually arrive at work.

Everything is well set up, heaps of room, easy access, well presented and polite driver [Indian?]


stephen