Many people who have traveled to other US cities recently have had the opportunity to travel with an Uber car. A what? Uber is a transportation network company based out of San Francisco that is essentially a mobile app and connects passengers with drivers that were hired by the company. In February we learned that New Orleans had already sent a cease and desist letter to the startup transportation network company prior to them even entering our city. Specifically, the New Orleans Taxicab Bureau does not want Uber (or any other similar company such as Lyft) to take any business away from their taxi drivers.
But, it’s 2014 and sometimes taxi cabs are not always accessible, reliable or affordable in New Orleans. Shouldn’t we cease the monopoly and allow both visitors and residents the opportunity to get around our city safely?
New Orleans Taxicab Bureau Changes
There are rumors that Uber is now going to enter the Greater New Orleans market. Is it a change of heart? Or, does it have to do with the fact that the recent Taxicab Bureau director, Malachi Hull, was fired by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu earlier this month.
According to nola.com, the Taxicab Bureau was incompetent and disorganized. Documents were missing, bills uncollected, and agency employees carried mace and handcuffs. Mitch Landrieu had ordered an Inspector General investigation of the bureau’s office as there were a couple violent incidences involving Hull’s investigators. In October, one investigator hit, pepper sprayed and handcuffed a cab driver. In November, a different investigator twisted a tour guide’s arm behind her back and slammed her into the hood of a car. Both incidents were caught on tape.
Both men were charged. Both were fired in April. Hull never did anything about this, nor did he cite physical aggressiveness in the reports. In the interim, Safety and Permits Director, Jared Munster, and Deputy CAO Ava Rogers, will oversee the Taxicab Bureau.
Uber Joining the Big Easy
Whether it has to do with the fact that Hull is out, and Uber is taking advantage, or whether they were able to find some legal loophole to allow them to come into our city without abiding by the Taxicab Bureau’s regulations (they ARE a mobile app and not a taxi cab service anyhow), it seems that Uber is ready to take on New Orleans. How do we know this? Well, there’s a job listed for a Marketing Manager in New Orleans on their website. Supposedly, Uber has emailed their customers that they are expanding here. I don’t have confirmation on this, but if you do, let me know.
Oh, and on July 22nd, the New Orleans City Council is set to vote on a proposed revision to the municipal transportation ordinance to allow Uber to operate locally. This ordinance would lower the minimum rate for some services such as town cars, limos and SUVs, which would allow Uber Black, Uber’s town car service, to operate legally in New Orleans.
How will Uber affect New Orleans?
Having the chance to travel to other cities and use Uber, I have to say – it is simply awesome. As a friend pointed out, she was in San Francisco visiting Golden Gate Park, and came out on the other side. Had no address, no cash, and no idea where she was going to dinner, but she called Uber up and the app knew her location, she didn’t need money to pay the driver, and the driver was able to drive her to a location to eat dinner. When you sign up with Uber, you input your credit card information and therefore every time you use Uber, your card gets charged and includes the tip (no need to tip additionally). Brilliant. Another story included a group of friends that went out to dinner, drinks, and realized at the end of the night that no one could drive home. Easy. Call Uber. Done.
Uber will also be a great alternative for rides during peak tourism events in New Orleans. I can see Uber being very popular during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and Voodoo Festival. However, users of Uber products will have to get used to paying a premium for Uber services during these events. Uber’s website suggests that during ‘surge’ events such as New Year’s Eve, prices may increase by as much as 700%!
I am also excited that UberBlack will be available in New Orleans. To my knowledge, NOLA doesn’t have a devoted limo service that works like a taxi, but I’ve experienced the service in other cities. In the Metroy New Orleans area, UberBlack users will be able to specifically request black car services that are similar as limousines services, but will only be point-to-point. This means that riders will be able to ‘rent’ a limo from their house to an event but not have to pay by the hour when they’re not using the limousine. With all the weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties in New Orleans, this will be a great way to travel in style in a safe manner inexpensively!
The Difference between a taxi and Uber
You might think that a taxi cab can do this. But, really, when people are traveling to New Orleans (or any city for that matter), they don’t always have a taxi number. They don’t always know the address of where they are located. And, the taxi cab companies sometimes never answer their phones. When a cab drives by, it’s usually full, especially during peak seasons, and although New Orleans has implemented a mandate on accepting credit cards, there are still cab drivers who insist on getting paid with cash. All reasons to point towards Uber. What also makes Uber unique is its “supply and demand” format. On New Year’s Eve, you’re going to pay top dollar to get a ride home from Uber. But, you’re still going to get a ride home. Whereas you could be waiting a few hours for a taxicab – that might not even want to drive you wherever you are going.
Downsides of Uber?
No cab service is perfect and Uber is no exception. You’re hiring someone who has applied to be a driver with Uber, but they may not be a professional taxicab driver or have a chauffeur’s license. Uber driver’s are required to have a valid driver’s license and maintain insurance, but the requirements do not always require driver’s to maintain commercial policies or taxicab coverage. In the event of an accident where a passenger is injured, an Uber driver may not have insurance coverage.
In addition to driver and insurance regulations, Uber requires background checks for all drivers. Remember what ya momma told ya, “Never get in a car with someone who you don’t feel is safe.” Apply this rule to Uber, too!
New Orleans is accepting applications for UberX drivers – this is the most popular division of Uber and I think you should take caution when utilizing UberX drivers to drive you around the city because this version of Uber requires the least from the drivers. UberBlack will be available in New Orleans, but the drivers are held to a higher standard.
So, Uber seems accessible, reliable, affordable, and safe. Don’t you think we should allow Uber to come here?
