5 Reasons Why Taxi Is Better Than Uber

Taxi vs. Uber. It’s the most controversial transport debate of the century with over thousands of concerned individuals joining the conversation. Several articles have been published both from experts and mere passengers stating their insights and personal experiences from both services. But despite their differences, they all seem to agree on one thing: Uber is the winner.

From Uber’s cheap prices to their rating system, everything seems like a dream come true especially from an outsider’s perspective. In fact, any newbie would definitely think that Uber is a great alternative for taxis.

But the problem is: it’s not. It’s literally just a taxi service packaged differently (and with a lot of flaws).

Today, we’re going shed light on those flaws and show you a few reasons why taxi is better than Uber.

1. No Surge Pricing

Uber has been in the center of many controversies and their surge pricing may be responsible for most of those. You see, Uber set up this surge pricing scheme for two main reasons:

To increase the supply of drivers. Surge pricing usually happens during peak hours. So, in order to meet the demand, Uber increases the cost to lure drivers into working.
Control customer demands. Some passengers may simply find the high surge price to be unacceptable. Thus, they will find other means of transportation.

It’s a good intention, but many passengers are disappointed – and rightfully so. Sometimes, surge pricing kicks in at the worst possible times for customers. If they’re in a hurry, they’re forced to pay extra during peak hours when it could have cost lesser. It’s unstable pricing that leaves many customers in doubt.

Meanwhile, taxis don’t have surge pricing. The cost remains the same no matter the time of day. That means if you paid $15 earlier in your cab to go to work, you’ll most likely still pay $15 on a taxi to get home. On the other hand, if you went out during slack hours and paid an Uber ride $15, there’s no certainty that you’ll pay the same price when you go back home. In fact, if you’re going to book an Uber ride during peak hours, you’re gonna pay twice the amount.

2. Professional Drivers

Anyone can be an Uber driver. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or a professional, as long as you are legally allowed to drive, then you can work for Uber. That may be an advantage to aspiring Uber drivers, but definitely not to its passengers. Remember, driving faces a lot of risks and danger, therefore it needs skilled and responsible drivers. So, why would you trust your life to someone who probably doesn’t have enough driving experience?

But with taxis, you’re in safe hands. Taxis are driven by professional drivers. They have gone through many tests, screenings, orientations, and exams. They have a deep knowledge of the city’s roads and an excellent problem-solving skill when traffic or construction interrupts a standard route. This knowledge is not based on GPS or other electronic devices; it is based on experience. With that in mind, taxi drivers are less likely to get lost and can get you to your destination as quick as possible. Thus, if you’re into a reliable and safer service, choose a taxi.

3. Not Suitable For Older Generations

It’s like the newspaper vs. online articles scenario. Older generations have grown into the “flag-a-cab” procedure and most of them have minimal smartphone operation knowledge. So, with this new riding method that Uber is offering, older generations simply cannot relate. Most importantly, older people are not comfortable using their phones to pay for things because they haven’t fully trusted machinery and the internet. Until Uber finds a way to appeal to the older generations, it remains in the “not recommended” list.

4. No Anonymity

Uber is a big advance in massive surveillance. You can’t use Uber anonymously. You see, the app collects data about you. You set up your profile, your name, your address, and other personal info. Now, as mentioned before, anyone can drive an Uber. If a potentially harmful individual gets their hands on this information, then you’re in big trouble. Most importantly, there’s a very high possibility that your privacy will be breached. The Uber app is a giant pool of data from thousands of individuals. It will be an apocalypse if someone breaks through the system.

Unlike taxis, however, you don’t have to identify yourself to get a ride. You remain anonymous, and you get to know the driver’s information first. That’s one less problem to worry about.

5. Sometimes Uber Coverage Sucks

There are a few places, towns, and villages where there are at least one or two Uber drivers. Especially if you’re living in a suburban area, the number of Uber drivers are very low. Sometimes, you want to book for an Uber, but the only two drivers in your locality are off-duty/unavailable (because they get to pick their own schedule).

Meanwhile, taxis are always there for you 24/7. Taxi agencies make sure that there are enough cabs operating in an area to meet customer demands. So, you can enjoy a taxi ride at any time or and anywhere. Whether you are traveling in a new place or in an emergency situation, taxicab services will help you reach your destination safely and on time.

There are a lot of benefits and flaws in both Uber and the taxicab’s services. But the next time you are in need of a reliable transportation, think about all this points and choose wisely.