Uber
 

Is Uber available in The Villages?? Are there any UBER based drivers here. Can you tell us your experiences??

Uber golfcarts! Now there's a concept.

Just looked at the Uber app and did not see any current drivers in the area. The closest was in Ocala. There might be drivers in the area but none at this time are available. Hope this helps.

Can someone please explain what exactly Uber is? I know I have lived overseas for a very long time but still this Uber thing seems to have popped up suddenly and is everywhere? I have heard extremely negative things about Uber and good things about Uber and I am confused whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. How do you use them?

Uber works great. Just download the App on your smart phone. Don't use a smart phone I think you are out of luck. Get a car and driver where and when you need one. The fair is based on where you want to go. There are no meters so you know what the cost is up front. This would work great in the Villages for people who don't drive or don't like to dive at night.

I was hoping the answer was yes! Mom can't drive at night and this would be great for her.this is also a great idea for seniors who want to earn some extra money

Good way to avoid a DUI

This is the concept of Uber and Lyft
 

Concept of Uber and Lyft car-sharing businesses shown in this video. "Nobody's going to ride [taxis] for $45 per ride".......

Before some get all hot under the collar about the competition they pose for taxis, think about this:

My friend age 84 was here for a few weeks. When I could not take her to a class at a Regional Rec Center about 7 miles from us in The Villages, the regular taxi fare was going to be $26. Obviously, she did not go. The consumer is hostage to typical taxi rates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jezJzgXkuM

Would you hire an unlicensed or uninsured contractor ?

Definitely. I call them undocumented contractors.

I don't know where you are getting your facts from but UBER drivers are required to have a CDL drivers license, pass a background check, and prove personal liability coverage before getting the UBER job. Once the fare is picked up UBER has Commercial insurance covering its fares up to 1 million liability as well as UI/UIM.

Here is a site to help you understand.
https://www.uber.com/driver-jobs

I don't know what taxi service you used but last November we were in The Villages to go on a cruise with our Village. Our hotel was probably close to 7 miles from the bus pickup point in Lake Sumter. There were three of us, three pieces of luggage for a week's cruise, 3 carry-ons and Mom's walker. The Village Aiirport Van didn't even charge us $20! And, they booked us at that time for the return trip. We just had to call them when the bus was about 10 miles out of TV. (The hotel let me leave my car in their parking lot as we would be staying there on our return.)

I would think Uber would work in TV. I thought I saw a post a couple of days ago where a guy in Ocala was starting a Uber business.

Pretty much correct in your post, except for the CDL. Not needed to drive for Uber. Good link for their web site, though. It does have all the info.

Uber is the future. No matter how hard the NYC mayor, or Spanish and French cab drivers try to restrict this new business it will flourish. The cars will drive themselves soon enough. They are working on robotic cars as we speak. So are Apple, Google, Toyota and others. The future is here.

That is one to remember! :jester:

Not true Taken from your site

A commercial license is not required to drive on uberX in most US cities but is required for many other driving professions.

Aren't taxi fares regulated by the local governments?

I'm reminded of Jeff Bezos' answer when asked about accusations that he was responsible for the death of bookstores. He replied that the Internet was responsible.

Sorry, bureaucratic, cronyistic and expensive taxi services. Somebody built a better mousetrap.

Just returned from LA and San Francisco where Uber truly added to our ability to get around quickly, safely and cost effectively! The Villages would be a great place for Uber! With many single car households, and no public transportation there is a natural client base. And I am sure that many potential local drivers would appreciate a chance to pick up a little cash while working a few hours a week!

Would be great to have Uber here, especially as we age, we still need to get around to shop, go to the doctors, etc.

I had my first uber ride last week in L.A. and was thoroughly impressed. I was on a fairly long layover so I decided I wanted to go see a movie. There was a theater, in a mall, about 8 miles away. Although I had the uber app on my phone for couple years, I had never used the service. Also had my credit card info in the app too. I select uberx and notice there are MANY cars driving around the area. I hit selected (or something like that) and the car pulls up within seconds. He happened to be about a hundred yards away when I called for the car. I thought I would feel a bit uncomfortable getting into someone’s personal car but I really felt ok. The return trip, I waited 3 mins for the car to arrive. I’m hooked on Uber.

Uber is very reasonable, in fact I'm quite surprised their aren't some here, it is the kind of service that would likely do very well here. It also can kind of the perfect side gig for the semi retired type, or the kind of person looking for a "post retirement/part time/second career". What if different about Uber is the "cabbie" is making some busk in the deal, and the customer does NOT have to tip! Also you prepay, and know your fare in advance.

My family outside of the villages uses Uber all the time. They especially like how they know exactly where the car is so they never miss a ride or wait very long. They like the prices too.
I think it would be a great service to have in The Villages.

Just try it
 

It has been my experience that people who criticize uber have never tried them. The vast majority of people who have used uber are huge proponents. The cars are much nicer, the modest fare is automatically billed to your credit card (no cash payments accepted), you know the name of the driver and have his/her photo before they show up, you know what the exact fare will be before the driver arrives, you can track them on your smart phone gps as they are coming to pick you up, and there is no tipping. It is a no brainer.

I'm with you. Have used Uber many times in many cities with no issues. You have a record of your travel, who picked you up and the license number of their car. Surprised there are not a couple of drivers set up in TV. Will be shocked if this is still the case in January

Just be sure you are not susceptible to a a Surge charge when you are picked up. Should not be the case in TV but could well be in other large cities (Chicago, LA, NYC etc. this could significantly increase your charges. They point it out on your Smart phone but not when you are actually picked up. Could increase the fare 7 or 8 fold.

no responses to Uber in TV. must not be here yet.

Not certain what you are saying. If the surcharge is identified on your phone when you get the quote, that's the fare. There may be upticks in a price during rush hours or major events, but these are told to you when you book the ride. In most cases price is not even discussed when you are picked up although my driver(s) have asked me if I wanted him to confirm what I was being charged.

Maybe we could somehow convince the developer to put it on next year's survey as a business we want to see in The Villages.

All you have to do is look at their site to see what cities they are in.

https://www.uber.com/cities

Seems like a good, part time business for any qualified, safe-driving Villager to start.

My cousin is staying in Hemingway and surprised that Uber isn't big here with all the medical facilities around. I understand that a smart phone and the ability to use one is needed, but those hurdles should become minimal and for many non existent by now. I would expect this to catch on in the near future.

Hey friends, you don't need to request Uber come to Villages...they already are coming here. Go online, create an account and request a driver. It really is that simple! You can also learn how to become an Uber driver if you want to work part time.

Well, maybe someone with a smart phone will do as you suggest and see if they get connected with an Uber driver.

I haven't been successful in finding uber drivers in The Villages yet! This is a wonderful place for the service since many of us are sharing a car and it would also offer great, flexible employment opportunities for local drivers!

Go to your applications icon on your smartphone , type in uber and that's all it takes. They will ask for credit card info etc but to set it up only takes a few minutes.

Uber Black is now at Orlando Airport.