Uber taxis

the_holgate_roof

the_holgate_roof

Well-known member
Is there any reason why Uber don’t operate in Teesside, used them often when abroad and they seem to operate in other towns and cities, what is the issue round here?
 
I miss Uber - used it regularly in the States. On Long Island having to share a taxi is the norm and the taxis are mainly old Crown Vics.
 
Norfolkred1 said:
Boro taxis could be your answer, don't think Uber would survive while these are in power.
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Boro Taxi's seem to snap up every independent taxi firm on Teesside.

I see they are now going to charge you waiting time. What happens if the car arrives early? There's been a few times after a game, I have rung a taxi for 9:30 from Swatter's and it's arrived a good 15 minutes early and they start bombarding you with texts to say they are outside.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
Boro Taxi's seem to snap up every independent taxi firm on Teesside.

I see they are now going to charge you waiting time. What happens if the car arrives early? There's been a few times after a game, I have rung a taxi for 9:30 from Swatter's and it's arrived a good 15 minutes early and they start bombarding you with texts to say they are outside.
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I now have to order 30 minutes earlier as they are always around 30 minutes late, no reduction in fare for their lateness. The Council cabs are not much dearer and you can walk up. While Boro Taxis have the monopoly we are fooked.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
Boro Taxi's seem to snap up every independent taxi firm on Teesside.

I see they are now going to charge you waiting time. What happens if the car arrives early? There's been a few times after a game, I have rung a taxi for 9:30 from Swatter's and it's arrived a good 15 minutes early and they start bombarding you with texts to say they are outside.
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With Uber you can see where the car is and how long it's going to be.
 
Boro taxis are now using an Uber style app and they're very very cheap, so I'm not sure Uber would actually be able to offer cheaper rides. Uber in Newcastle for example is more expensive in my experience.
 
Norfolkred1 said:
I now have to order 30 minutes earlier as they are always around 30 minutes late, no reduction in fare for their lateness. The Council cabs are not much dearer and you can walk up. While Boro Taxis have the monopoly we are fooked.
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A flagged down taxi can be loads dearer. When I used to get taxis back from nights out if it was on the meter with a Hackney it was between 12-15 quid from boro to Stockton but a booked taxi was always £7.50

it's a few quid more now but imagine Hackney still more expensive

i hate how if you prebook one with boro taxis it's just dispatched at the time you book it; you'd expect it to arrive at the time you book it for in advance. Nearly missed a few trains cos of it
 
the_holgate_roof said:
Is there any reason why Uber don’t operate in Teesside, used them often when abroad and they seem to operate in other towns and cities, what is the issue round here?
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I think it's purely down to price Boro Taxis and the off other companies that spring up then get bought by them are cheaper than Uber.
 
Uber's model doesn't work against cheap taxi firms, and Boro are extremely cheap, albeit somewhat unreliable.

The new Boro Taxis app is terrible mind, but the old one was great.
 
Andy_W said:
Uber's model doesn't work against cheap taxi firms, and Boro are extremely cheap, albeit somewhat unreliable.

The new Boro Taxis app is terrible mind, but the old one was great.
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Cheap, nearly a tenner from Hembo to the Town and never on time.
 
I was thinking with the demand far outstripping supply at the moment , with a load of Boro taxi drivers moving on to other jobs, it would be ripe for Uber to flood the area, when I used it on the states the drivers would bid for your job, so could pick a driver either on price or location or whatever, would be great to see them come in and make the taxi business in the area much more competitive and less of a monopoly.
 
Norfolkred1 said:
Cheap, nearly a tenner from Hembo to the Town and never on time.
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Have you been anywhere else in the country, that has Uber? Everywhere that has it, a "normal" taxi or Uber would be over £20, and anywhere else over £15 pretty much. That's on average mind, obviously Uber hike prices when it's rammed.

Try getting to Newcastle, or going 45 miles for £45 in an Uber?

They are late sometimes, I give you that, but not usually more than 10 minutes unless you try and get one late on, at a busy time, but it's like that anywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I hate that they have a monopoly here, but you pay for what you get. It's cheap, and usually just as good as anyone else though, but when it's not good, it's still cheap, which kind of makes up for it.

Coulby/ Hemo to town is still 15 minutes, and he's got to drive 5 mins or whatever to get to you. It's probably £5 in wages, £0.50 a mile for fuel/ car/ maintenance and 20% going to the taxi firm, it's operators, app etc. I bet there's not even £1 profit in that.
 
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the_holgate_roof said:
I was thinking with the demand far outstripping supply at the moment , with a load of Boro taxi drivers moving on to other jobs, it would be ripe for Uber to flood the area, when I used it on the states the drivers would bid for your job, so could pick a driver either on price or location or whatever, would be great to see them come in and make the taxi business in the area much more competitive and less of a monopoly.
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Hard to out Uber, the Boro Uber, haven't they got like 600 cars? Must be one of the biggest independent taxi firms in the UK, including all the cities, and we're only a mid sized town.

Uber would need to find drivers that Boro taxi's can't. Anyone willing to drive an Uber is probably driving a Boro taxi.

I wouldn't like to use my own car in Boro mind, not going to some of the areas anyway.
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
i hate how if you prebook one with boro taxis it's just dispatched at the time you book it; you'd expect it to arrive at the time you book it for in advance. Nearly missed a few trains cos of it
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Don't use the app if you're going to station or airport. Ring them and they will ask you the time of the train give you some flannel about not being responsible if you miss the train but the taxi will arrive on time.
 
When we had a number of cars we were spoilt for choice but now it's take it or leave it from Boro and they know it. Never used an Uber. Have Boro ever thought of using smart cars, ideal for a single seat use and obviously a lot cheaper. Saw them in Amsterdam years ago and seemed fit for purpose.
 
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