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poll
In the city where you live, if you had a choice between taxis and ride-sharing services like Lyft or Uber, which would you choose?
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23 Comments
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Aly Rustom
whichever is cheaper
ebisen
Uber has became a taxi service since long time ago. There are many Pro drivers doing this full time.
davidnorell
My big worry is not the driver, but the vehicle. If it is not maintained right, it can be a harrowing ride where i could get injured. Too many taxi companies buy used police cruisers that are cheap, but worn out. An accident is very possible based on a few friends of mine that are taxi drivers from NYC.
Strangerland
I prefer taxis, though Uber/Lyft/Pickmyassup can be handy in some cities, particularly if taxi service can be difficult to hail.
Toasted Heretic
Taxis. One bad experience with Uber was enough.
USNinJapan2
davidnorell
You obviously don't live in Japan.
3RENSHO
In Japan, taxi drivers provide superlative service, and fares reflect that added value. Drivers' white gloves are an included bonus!
runner3
If Uber or other ride sharing had to follow the same rules as the taxi companies that would be a good thing. For safety alone. But they don't, so that for that reason I would pick taxi's.
Jeff Huffman
davidnorellAug. 26 08:40 am JST My big worry is not the driver, but the vehicle. If it is not maintained right, it can be a harrowing ride where i could get injured.
Thanks to shaken requirements, there is little to worry about with the private vehicle used by an Uber or Lyft driver.
extanker
In the US, if I had to pick one (I drive myself everywhere here), it would probably be an Uber. Taxis here in the US are not very pleasent.
In Japan however, I would pick a taxi hands down. I have never had a bad experience.
JeffLee
I've tried several times, but cant use them. I either get problems with the app, my cellular network (thanks, Softbank), or the driver ignoring me or refusing to stop as I wave my arms at them.
On the one successful time I got the driver to stop, he got lost en-route. Gotta be taxis.
taj
I have experienced bad taxis in the US but in Japan it's been all good. We don't need Uber or Lyft here.
Luddite
Too many incidents in London of Uber drivers sexually assaulting or saying sexually inappropriate things to lone female passengers. The lack of regulation puts passengers at risk.
BackpackingNepal
When a single young lady stops for the ride, you never know where the driver's antenna turns in the middle of the night.
Even with the anti social preventive equipment installled in such vehicle.
So no choice but risky ride.
runner3
Reckless, I've taken a lot of taxes in Japan. I've never had a problem like your describing.
Wakarimasen
Taxi. Uber etc are just scams that enrich their investors and management and rely on folks desire to save a few pennies and seconds while exploiting their drivers.
FizzBit
Wakarimasen Today 04:28 pm JST
It really depends on where you live. In my old US suburb, there was one taxi company servicing 3 or 4 surrounding burbs. It would take an hour to get one, if you were lucky. Not anymore thanks to Uber and Lyft.
garypen
Too bad I can only upvote this comment once.
sf2k
Taxis are regulated, have insurance, and all have apps now. No need for Uber and its trickle down economics
quercetum
Uber in the States and Taxis in the middle of Tokyo although I once reserved a Uber ride in Tokyo because so couldn’t risk not flagging down a taxi in time.
The Japanese Uber driver was in his twenties and driving a black shiny minivan like an Alphard and wearing a black jacket and white shirt. Very professional.
He says for short distances taxi’s are cheaper but Uber is more cost efficient for longer rides.