Looking to do UBER in my Mirage

[alex16]

I know my Mirage may not get high marks from the H&R springs installed haha, but I really am thinking about trying it to see how it would be, the nearest city is reading, 37 miles away but harrisburg is 45 miles away and all highway just about.

I applied for uber just need to get my car inspected to get processed and hired on. Should be able to do that tomorrow afternoon.

Has anybody else with a Mirage done Uber? I might be the first haha, I could use the extra money and enjoy driving, they say guys with smaller cars make the best money.. and my Mirage will dominate the "very good" honda fit in mpg. It's nice that you make your own hours as well.

[deleted user]

Interesting idea.

regards
mech

[Daox]

Sounds like a good way to make some extra money. Be sure to keep us updated on how it goes!

[Cani Lupine]

I've actually applied and gotten through the background checks, and my Partner account was activated. But, my work schedule changed, and I'm pulling 6 days a week now. When my hours stabilize, I'll see about turning the app on a couple days a week.

Uber seems more legit than Lyft, and Lyft didn't have any service in my area, so Uber seems the better option.

[cchataway]

Guys, I don't mean to throw a wet towel in on your idea of becoming a taxi. As a retired police officer with my last 16 years in homicide I can't begin to tell you how many robberies that became a homicide. The only way to do this and be safe is to put a bullet proof partition between you and the customer with a intercom front to back.

Think about it, you get dispatched to a seedy part of town, or really just about anywhere these days for one to two males that are only out to make some money and NOT leaving any witnesses. Should you decide to undertake this venture please think about the loved ones that will miss you. Just Sayin'

[Ares]

Guys, I don't mean to throw a wet towel in on your idea of becoming a taxi. As a retired police officer with my last 16 years in homicide I can't begin to tell you how many robberies that became a homicide. The only way to do this and be safe is to put a bullet proof partition between you and the customer with a intercom front to back.

Think about it, you get dispatched to a seedy part of town, or really just about anywhere these days for one to two males that are only out to make some money and NOT leaving any witnesses. Should you decide to undertake this venture please think about the loved ones that will miss you. Just Sayin'

Do you even know how uber works?

[cchataway]

Ares, I'm afraid I don't know how Uber works, isn't it just a private car taxi service? Help me out here!!

[ahintofpepperjack]

Ares, I'm afraid I don't know how Uber works, isn't it just a private car taxi service? Help me out here!!

Riders and drivers use an Uber App. You can only hail an Uber by using the App. Everyone who uses the app must register and tie a bank account or credit card to it. Also every rider and driver has reviews from other riders and drivers.

If you were ever robbed by a rider, it would be very easy to find the assailant. The rider's uber account is tied to his/her bank account/email address/and phone number.

[Canoehead]

In my jurisdiction, the issue with Uber seems to be the licensing/regulatory framework. There is a taxi cab board, and a limited number of licenses available. Licenses sell for something like $100,000 due to the supply/demand - basically buying a business, and the limited number means those with a license will have enough fares to keep them going. The Taxis have to be inspected like any commercial vehicle, and drivers require a higher class of license, which is much more expensive and time consuming. There are also costs associated with maintaining a dispatch system, and business taxes and such.

Uber, which in my limited understanding is private citizens who are not licensed businesses and do not pay anything for a taxi license is certainly a threat to the viability of conventional taxis. As such, the cabbies don't like it. Just as an unlicensed food truck outside your local diner might not be appreciated by the diner owner.

For curiosity regarding the criminal element - are Uber rides tracked and logged somehow? If an uber car is used as a getaway vehicle, would the police/courts be able to determine that? If someone steals your phone, can they also book an uber ride to get away? Are there cameras in uber cars?

[Ares]

In my jurisdiction, the issue with Uber seems to be the licensing/regulatory framework. There is a taxi cab board, and a limited number of licenses available. Licenses sell for something like $100,000 due to the supply/demand - basically buying a business, and the limited number means those with a license will have enough fares to keep them going. The Taxis have to be inspected like any commercial vehicle, and drivers require a higher class of license, which is much more expensive and time consuming. There are also costs associated with maintaining a dispatch system, and business taxes and such.

Uber, which in my limited understanding is private citizens who are not licensed businesses and do not pay anything for a taxi license is certainly a threat to the viability of conventional taxis. As such, the cabbies don't like it. Just as an unlicensed food truck outside your local diner might not be appreciated by the diner owner.

For curiosity regarding the criminal element - are Uber rides tracked and logged somehow? If an uber car is used as a getaway vehicle, would the police/courts be able to determine that? If someone steals your phone, can they also book an uber ride to get away? Are there cameras in uber cars?

Responses
1st/2nd part of your statement: Lots of businesses have closed down due to advances in technology. Guess taxis are next?
3rd part of your statement: I'll talk to my District Attorney friend about that. As far as I know, there are no cameras. However, for liability's sake, those onboard cameras are cheap - 100$ would get you a pretty great quality one.