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Uber

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    Illegally so in Ireland under their intended business model.
    Sure - that's the protectionism - which is stifling progression and innovation - that we're talking about.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,167 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    The law of supply and demand is the best regulation.
    why?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    It only costs €170 for a wheelchair accessible license, subject to age limits of vehicle, but you'd sooner allow the mobility disadvantaged of Ireland to go crawl wherever they'd like to get to, so that people can drive their family vehicles a few hours a day to put what few WAT's we have now off the road.
    that is what such cars cost brand new. that is just how it is . you could get a second hand one a lot cheaper i'm sure. if you want to be a taxi driver then that is the rules, and they should not be removed just to facilitate uber who can compete if they so wish.



    our model doesn't shut out uber. uber can come here and compete if they so wish. they are not stopped from doing so. they simply have to abide by the rules as set down, rules which exist for the benefit of the users of taxis. if they do not wish to come here, that is up to them, they are the only ones shutting themselves out.
    There is no protectionism, just minimum requirements which uber choose not to adhere to thereby excluding themselves from the market, simples

    Unless of course, you are advocating that we drop the bare minimum standards that took a long time to get put in?

    Are you in favour of not allowing existing licences to renew unless they have a wheelchair accessible car?

    Frankly, I think this measure has the unintended consequence of making it harder for wheelchair users to get a cab as all the accessible ones are being used up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    why?

    why not? What is the reason to set artificial controls?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 896 ✭✭✭Bray Head


    glasso wrote: »
    Basically all people who aren't Taxi drivers or related to them would prefer to have the choice of an Uber service with say 30 t0 40 percent cheaper fares.

    I highly doubt Uber could sustainably offer 30% to 40% cheaper fares than the regulated fare.

    Driving a taxi is not a high-margin occupation. Taxi fares (adjusted for cost of living) are at the low end in Ireland compared to most European countries.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    Bray Head wrote: »
    I highly doubt Uber could sustainably offer 30% to 40% cheaper fares than the regulated fare.

    If that's the case, then it will correct itself pretty quickly.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Bray Head wrote: »
    I highly doubt Uber could sustainably offer 30% to 40% cheaper fares than the regulated fare.

    Driving a taxi is not a high-margin occupation. Taxi fares (adjusted for cost of living) are at the low end in Ireland compared to most European countries.

    this article is fairly recent (2017) by when uber was well established / running over a number of years in London- not exactly the same situation but a reasonable comparison


    . They ran a three-day experiment taking 29 journeys from different locations around London. One researcher hailed a taxi from the Uber app while another took a traditional black cab to the same destination, with the route left up to the driver.

    "At the end of their trial, black cabs worked out faster, taking on average 88 per cent of the time an Uber did – although they were also around 35 per cent more expensive."

    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2117966-taxi-races-show-black-cabs-beat-uber-on-speed-but-not-cost/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,239 ✭✭✭✭Losty Dublin


    Sure - that's the protectionism - which is stifling progression and innovation - that we're talking about.

    Basic laws relating to car insurance and basic State licensing isn't what classes as protectionism to the vast majority of society. The bar for taxi permits in Ireland is not set at a terribly high level all told; it is too low if anything. Uber are more than welcome to utilise drivers and cars that meet such standards, which in Ireland are rather modest in comparison to may other countries.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    Basic laws relating to car insurance and basic State licensing isn't what classes as protectionism to the vast majority of society. The bar for taxi permits in Ireland is not set at a terribly high level all told
    Ok, so how does the insurance thing work in Ireland? I know in some markets, Uber have their own insurance. Is there a reasonable provision for insurance - as if there isn't, who's fault is that?

    I thought that someone had said it's not possible to get a license right now for the most part?

    Anything that stifles an innovative approach only serves to hold society back.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Of course I am. Tell me why someone can't be issued a license tomorrow for a minimal fee?

    They can, for a 170 eur fee
    Everyone knows the model facilitates people to go out and work as and when it suits. You can't do that if you restrict in this fashion. It's protectionism.

    You have just described the situation for independent taxi drivers who can work when they please so it's not restricted or protected


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    They can, for a 170 eur fee

    Not without a potential uber driver having to go out and buy a specific type of vehicle, right?
    You have just described the situation for independent taxi drivers who can work when they please so it's not restricted or protected
    See above.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,140 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    So 'thems the rules'? BS. Simplify the system and allow better utilisation of peoples time and the existing car stock.

    If the tech can facilitate someone who wants to go out and work for a few hours or switch on their availability to accept a fare if they're going on a particular journey, they should be allowed to do so. Protectionism is negative and ultimately, it never wins out.


    a taxi can work whichever hours the driver wants to work as long as they abide by the driving legal limits. the system is perfectly simple, and people can if they feel it is a good investment, get a taxi licence.
    there is no protectionism here. just some simple basic rules. uber choose not to come here and abide by those rules, so they are responsible for shutting themselves out. if they want to come here then they can but they will be abiding by the rules. the rules will not be dumed down to suit them, as it should be.
    The law of supply and demand is the best regulation. If there's enough, there won't be more on the streets than are needed.

    I understand your point but I don't think the consideration of car-sharing services has any bearing on it....although it could help when used on a opportunist basis - but current regulation prevents this.

    supply and demand is exactly what we have here in ireland.

    I'm very highly educated. I know words, i have the best words.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,140 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    glasso wrote: »
    Basically all people who aren't Taxi drivers or related to them would prefer to have the choice of an Uber service with say 30 t0 40 percent cheaper fares.

    Taxi drivers will come up with any argument to keep them out.

    Choice is better.

    have you got a source for those claims? ideally a studdy to show that
    1. that all people who aren't taxi drivers or relatives of taxi drivers would prefer an uber service. a service they are being prevented from having by the company they would like to be able to use, ironically.
    2. that taxi drivers and their relatives want to keep uber out, and are coming up with all sorts of arguments to keep them out, when they are not being kept out, rather they are choosing to stay out.
    there is plenty of choice in the taxi industry.
    Sure - that's the protectionism - which is stifling progression and innovation - that we're talking about.

    nope, just the law. if uber aren't willing to abide by our regulations then they are no loss. other taxi businesses are willing to do it, who are using similar tech.
    Not without a potential uber driver having to go out and buy a specific type of vehicle, right?


    See above.

    they may have to buy a vehicle anyway. so why not one that is accessible to more people. more value for money in the long term. not everyone will want to use the family car for taxi driving.

    I'm very highly educated. I know words, i have the best words.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,664 ✭✭✭makeorbrake


    the system is perfectly simple, and people can if they feel it is a good investment, get a taxi licence.

    That's not right though. A taxi license should never be an investment. It's a barrier to entry.
    when they are not being kept out, rather they are choosing to stay out.
    Once again, there are barriers to entry.

    nope, just the law. if uber aren't willing to abide by our regulations then they are no loss. other taxi businesses are willing to do it, who are using similar tech.

    When 'law' and 'regulations' are not being set by irish authorities to harness innovation? There is no excuse for that.
    they may have to buy a vehicle anyway. so why not one that is accessible to more people. more value for money in the long term. not everyone will want to use the family car for taxi driving.
    That's nonsense. The innovative side of an uber type service is that it enables the gig economy for the benefiit of user and driver alike. This is a massive barrier to entry and well you know it.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Uber's business model is effectively prevented in Ireland by regulation.

    It works fine in many markets around the world.

    Ireland is a small market comparatively that they probably aren't bothered too much about it at the moment.

    They are still fighting battles in big markets like Spain (where regulations are the factor also) so Ireland is well down the list.

    and yes people want better value - that's just human nature - unless there is a big downside somewhere else.

    having a value option in Ireland would benefit consumers, maybe not current taxi drivers.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    glasso wrote: »
    having a value option in Ireland would benefit consumers, maybe not current taxi drivers.

    Hackneys


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    There is nothing stopping Uber from bringing in Uber Black ( The limousine option ), they can use their own pricing structure, they can use any car that the SGS view as a limousine ( not just that its black anymore ) but they have to follow the regulations about vehicle standards etc. It's really not that hard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is nothing stopping Uber from bringing in Uber Black ( The limousine option ), they can use their own pricing structure, they can use any car that the SGS view as a limousine ( not just that its black anymore ) but they have to follow the regulations about vehicle standards etc. It's really not that hard.

    So you've no problem with Uber operating via the model you've proposed? Charging whatever they like? No artificial limits on the number of drivers?

    Uber have done all the lobbying to be allowed use hackneys for no reason, they could just have a VW approved as a limo! That's not hard at all; you should tell them. Unless there's a catch you haven't told us about.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    So you've no problem with Uber operating via the model you've proposed? Charging whatever they like? No artificial limits on the number of drivers?

    Uber have done all the lobbying to be allowed use hackneys for no reason, they could just have a VW approved as a limo! That's not hard at all; you should tell them. Unless there's a catch you haven't told us about.

    I have no problem with Uber operating under the same licensing conditions that I would have to. They could probably apply to have some thing like a VW Arteon or Passat passed out as a limousine as long as it passed the licensing inspections but certainly not a Polo or a Golf.

    https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Guidance_for_Limousine_Vehicle_Choice_31-01-18_PDF.pdf


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    More light reading for those who actually want facts rather than Uberphile rhetoric

    https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Taxi_Bulletin_2018_V2_Web.pdf


    Licenses Issued 2007-2017
    1ta39x.png

    WAT that the NTA have paid towards
    aczxn5.png

    Current reducing age profile of SPSV Fleet, the intended aim will remove all taxis from the roads at the age of 10 years except for WAT in recognition of their extra costs they will be allowed until age 15 years
    2d5slv.png


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,140 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    That's not right though. A taxi license should never be an investment. It's a barrier to entry.

    it's not a barrier to entry. it simply shows (or at least it should show) that you are competent and fit to offer a transport service to the public.
    Once again, there are barriers to entry.

    there really aren't. otherwise we'd have no taxis. or at least a hell of a lot less of them.
    When 'law' and 'regulations' are not being set by irish authorities to harness innovation? There is no excuse for that.

    the laws aren't being set to harness innovation. they are being set to protect the public. you can innovate away as long as you abide by the law.
    That's nonsense. The innovative side of an uber type service is that it enables the gig economy for the benefiit of user and driver alike. This is a massive barrier to entry and well you know it.

    except it's not because drivers can choose their hours as long as they only drive for the legally permitted hours. the gig economy is in the taxi industry, plenty of part time taxi drivers as well as the full time ones.
    the reality is, uber can absolutely compete here. they are choosing not to do so. that is their choice. if they come here, they will be able to compete with all other taxis on a level playing field. meaning actual competition. i wouldn't be surprised if duming down regulations or removing them to facilitate uber, if implemented, would potentially breach state aid laws on the basis that we were implementing favourible conditions at the expence of the public to favour a company over others.

    I'm very highly educated. I know words, i have the best words.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    I have no problem with Uber operating under the same licensing conditions that I would have to. They could probably apply to have some thing like a VW Arteon or Passat passed out as a limousine as long as it passed the licensing inspections but certainly not a Polo or a Golf.

    https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Guidance_for_Limousine_Vehicle_Choice_31-01-18_PDF.pdf

    Your link says that unacceptable cars are "Standard saloon cars generally accepted as standard taxis and hackneys" There's the catch you didn't mention.

    No one is arguing that Uber should not have to comply with the same rules as everyone else! We are saying that the rules are wrong and everyone should operate by different rules.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    More light reading for those who actually want facts rather than Uberphile rhetoric

    https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Taxi_Bulletin_2018_V2_Web.pdf


    Licenses Issued 2007-2017
    1ta39x.png

    WAT that the NTA have paid towards
    aczxn5.png

    Current reducing age profile of SPSV Fleet, the intended aim will remove all taxis from the roads at the age of 10 years except for WAT in recognition of their extra costs they will be allowed until age 15 years
    2d5slv.png

    Holy **** that's worse than I thought!!!!!

    0 new normal taxi or hackneys for 7 presumably 8 years! A handful of WAT!
    You call this operating on the same rules! The same rules would be all taxis must be WAT.

    Jesus no wonder it's so hard to get a taxi anymore! I wonder how many of those are actually still used.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Your link says that unacceptable cars are "Standard saloon cars generally accepted as standard taxis and hackneys" There's the catch you didn't mention.

    No one is arguing that Uber should not have to comply with the same rules as everyone else! We are saying that the rules are wrong and everyone should operate by different rules.

    No, what you're saying is there should be no rules.

    As regards the link, pretty much any car is adaptable as a limousine they even allow the ubiquitous Skoda Superb which is a Passat in disguise, as I said they won't and shouldn't allow vehicles like Polos and Golfs, the primary delimiting factor being they are unable to take a standard sized fold up wheel chair.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Holy **** that's worse than I thought!!!!!

    0 new normal taxi or hackneys for 7 presumably 8 years! A handful of WAT!
    You call this operating on the same rules! The same rules would be all taxis must be WAT.

    Jesus no wonder it's so hard to get a taxi anymore! I wonder how many of those are actually still used.

    Not hard to get a taxi though is it, you just can't get your wanted cheap Uber pack of non licensed driver & car


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    No, what you're saying is there should be no rules.

    As regards the link, pretty much any car is adaptable as a limousine they even allow the ubiquitous Skoda Superb which is a Passat in disguise, as I said they won't and shouldn't allow vehicles like Polos and Golfs, the primary delimiting factor being they are unable to take a standard sized fold up wheel chair.

    Nope. I did not say there should be no rules. There should be no artificial barriers to entry.

    Insurance (either driver covering it or the company), road-worthy car (the style and comfort features should be a choice), licence from government agency (covering background check and only costing an admin fee). Those are a good start. But not unnecessary barriers to entry that distort the market.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Holy **** that's worse than I thought!!!!!

    0 new normal taxi or hackneys for 7 presumably 8 years! A handful of WAT!
    You call this operating on the same rules! The same rules would be all taxis must be WAT.

    Jesus no wonder it's so hard to get a taxi anymore! I wonder how many of those are actually still used.

    By the way you might look at the figures of 2009 ( the last year you could get a "normal" taxi plate ) and the the year 2017

    2009 827 New Licenses of all kinds
    2017 657 New Licenses of all kinds

    Not a huge difference IMO


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    Not hard to get a taxi though is it, you just can't get your wanted cheap Uber pack of non licensed driver & car

    It's getting very hard to get a taxi starting from about a year ago it's become much more difficult to get one. Compared to a few years ago when it was easy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Nope. I did not say there should be no rules. There should be no artificial barriers to entry.

    Insurance (either driver covering it or the company), road-worthy car (the style and comfort features should be a choice), licence from government agency (covering background check and only costing an admin fee). Those are a good start. But not unnecessary barriers to entry that distort the market.

    That is what we actually have, the only stipulation is that they are actively encouraging WATs into the fleet, however, people like you would like to discourage the mobility disabled people from taking SPSVs by allowing a free for all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    It's getting very hard to get a taxi starting from about a year ago it's become much more difficult to get one. Compared to a few years ago when it was easy.

    Very rare that I have to fight people off from my taxi, perhaps you just aren't in the know.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Anyways I'm off to pick up a few Xmas party goers and take them home for some exorbitant fee and will probably consign this thread to the usual "take a taxi once or twice a year at xmas etc. thread and complain because 75% of Ireland were looking for a taxi at the same time" pile


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    By the way you might look at the figures of 2009 ( the last year you could get a "normal" taxi plate ) and the the year 2017

    2009 827 New Licenses of all kinds
    2017 657 New Licenses of all kinds

    Not a huge difference IMO

    One wonders if the demand for new taxis would be exceeded 657 in 2017 if the barrier to entry wasn't there. Perhaps then we'd be able to get taxis more easily.

    Why don't you want taxi licences to be easily available to anyone who can pass the background check? Is it just because you don't like Uber or is there some other reason?

    EDIT

    Oh I see, it's because you're a taxi driver and you want to protect your turf from competition. I wish someone would limit the number of people who could do my job too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    That is what we actually have, the only stipulation is that they are actively encouraging WATs into the fleet, however, people like you would like to discourage the mobility disabled people from taking SPSVs by allowing a free for all.

    By that logic all non-WATs should be taken off the road tonight for 2 reasons: 1) to make it fair for all taxi drivers and 2) so wheelchair users can be accommodated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    One wonders if the demand for new taxis would be exceeded 657 in 2017 if the barrier to entry wasn't there. Perhaps then we'd be able to get taxis more easily.

    Why don't you want taxi licences to be easily available to anyone who can pass the background check? Is it just because you don't like Uber or is there some other reason?

    EDIT

    Oh I see, it's because you're a taxi driver and you want to protect your turf from competition. I wish someone would limit the number of people who could do my job too.

    There is no barrier to putting a taxi on the road as long as it matches the NTAs lofty aspirations of increasing the WAT fleet to I believe their 10% figure, once that's achieved they may well reopen normal plate issues until then WAT and away you go


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is no barrier to putting a taxi on the road as long as it matches the NTAs lofty aspirations of increasing the WAT fleet to I believe their 10% figure, once that's achieved they may well reopen normal plate issues until then WAT and away you go

    "There's no barrier to entry except the barrier to entry"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    By that logic all non-WATs should be taken off the road tonight for 2 reasons: 1) to make it fair for all taxi drivers and 2) so wheelchair users can be accommodated.


    Ah so your solution to too few taxis would be to remove more taxis off the street, interesting, but anyways the NTA actively encourage plate owners to transfer over their normal plates to WATs , even to the extent of promising them that they can still put it onto a normal saloon at a later date and paying them a grant to do so. The same grant that is available to anyone who wants to put a taxi on the road.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    Ah so your solution to too few taxis would be to remove more taxis off the street, interesting, but anyways the NTA actively encourage plate owners to transfer over their normal plates to WATs , even to the extent of promising them that they can still put it onto a normal saloon at a later date and paying them a grant to do so. The same grant that is available to anyone who wants to put a taxi on the road.

    Not my solution; it's yours and it says it all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,239 ✭✭✭✭Losty Dublin


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is no barrier to putting a taxi on the road as long as it matches the NTAs lofty aspirations of increasing the WAT fleet to I believe their 10% figure, once that's achieved they may well reopen normal plate issues until then WAT and away you go

    If they would open up plate owners to a similar tax and excise rebate that wheelchair users currently avail off then it would be a help. Different topic for a different thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    "There's no barrier to entry except the barrier to entry"
    There is no barrier, you just have to accept the minimum standards, perhaps you should ask around about what kind of taxis were on the road pre NTA days when they removed the license limits in 2003/4.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,239 ✭✭✭✭Losty Dublin


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is no barrier, you just have to accept the minimum standards, perhaps you should ask around about what kind of taxis were on the road pre NTA days when they removed the license limits in 2003/4.

    I remember there being a few Punto Taxi's on the roads.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,538 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Ah, those 80s Mercedes with Nissan van engine transplants were fine...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭usernamegoes


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is no barrier, you just have to accept the minimum standards, perhaps you should ask around about what kind of taxis were on the road pre NTA days when they removed the license limits in 2003/4.

    Minimum standards that most taxi do not have to follow just new ones. It's the very definition of a barrier to entry!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Minimum standards that most taxi do not have to follow just new ones. It's the very definition of a barrier to entry!

    ALL taxis are subject to minimum standards as and when they renew licenses


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,703 ✭✭✭Nermal


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    There is no barrier, you just have to accept the minimum standards.

    If consumers valued these minimum standards, they'd choose cabs that met these standards. They might even pay more for them. Right now, they don't have the choice.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 342 ✭✭VeryTerry


    I live in a developing country and the Uber drivers have to have a much better standard of car than the normal taxis. They are nearly all Ford Fusions while the normal taxis are all clapped out bangers. Uber is more expensive but not by much. A 5 kilometer journey is about 3 euro with uber or 2.50 in a yellow taxi.

    I use Uber when I don't know where I'm going so I don't have to work it out with someone who doesn't speak English. If I'm going somewhere I know I use the local taxis.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,862 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    that is what such cars cost brand new. that is just how it is . you could get a second hand one a lot cheaper i'm sure. if you want to be a taxi driver then that is the rules, and they should not be removed just to facilitate uber who can compete if they so wish.

    'Them the rules'. I wonder were you that forthright in the Stokestown thread? LOL


    our model doesn't shut out uber. uber can come here and compete if they so wish.

    They and others are shut out by ride-sharing because of arbitrary rules which suits a few, not the many. We have the illusion of competition, when in fact its a closed shop.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,862 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    There is no protectionism, just minimum requirements

    Which again, as I state are impossible for anyone to ride share or even drive a taxi.
    If the minimum requirements were more affordable, people would not have an issue.

    The taxi regulator could easily adopt the following:

    Garda background check
    Driver license
    Visa documentation (if applicable)
    NCT
    €100 registration fee for a ridesharing license.

    Bobs your uncle...

    Yet, as I said, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a taxi plate in this country right now unless you are willing to stump up €30,000 for a wheel chair accessible car.
    Even when available the normal taxi plate was the guts of €5,000

    THIS.IS.PROTECTIONISM!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,862 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    "There's no barrier to entry except the barrier to entry"

    /Thread


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Given that there is nothing whatsoever, nadda, zero, zilch, preventing uber et al, from starting here tomorrow within the existing regulations, I think you'll find that the "ism" preventing ubers entry is more abstentionism than protectionism

    The deregulation that occurred to the taxi industry opened the market to anyone who wants in to participate in a fair and level playing field that puts the customer first.

    Uber choose not to play on a fair field and want carte blanche to run roughshod over everyone all in the name of the bottom line.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,862 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    Given that there is nothing whatsoever, nadda, zero, zilch, preventing uber et al, from starting here tomorrow within the existing regulations, I think you'll find that the "ism" preventing ubers entry is more abstentionism than protectionism

    Apart from the fact that not one normal taxi license has been granted since 2010....

    Uber is a ride-sharing service, not a taxi service. If the regulations do not allow the former, then why expect Uber to operate as the latter?

    The fact that people can't admit that this is a classic case of protectionism speaks volumes. Fine by the way, I understand why a taxi driver who has a taxi license wants to keep it that way, its business 101. Less taxi's on the road = more fares.

    But again, people are just dishonest with their intentions.


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