Is Uber available in The Villages?
 

I don't know much about Uber, but it seems like TV would be a really good place for it.

Is Uber in TV? -- If not, why not?

I am retrieving this thread because there is an article in the online news today about Uber and its potential in TV.

When I started this topic a couple of months ago, it did not get much response. (Thank you, Barefoot, for your post here, linking in another Uber thread.)

The 40-somethings and 50-somethings I talk to from the real world use Uber often, especially when they are in different cities on business. But they also use Uber sometimes when they are going into their own cities for games, etc.

And we all know that 60 is the new 40 and 70 is the new 50 so we might like Uber, too.

Anyway, after I saw the online news article just now, I thought I would go find this thread and see if I could drum up any discussion.

Actually, I am surprised there is no Uber in TV. It seems like it could be successful and we might have fellow Villagers who would be interested in being Uber drivers.

Thoughts?

Boomer

I have used Uber and really like the simplicity of it. I have the App. on my phone and after seeing the post, I went to my APP and did a search and Uber App. says it is NOT available in in TV

I am surprised more Villagers have not signed on as drivers. All you need is a good car, insurance and a good driving record. You "sign on" when you have nothing else to do and the app forward assignments. No cash involved. Uber users have a credit card on file. The GPS calculates the fares and drivers tell me they get a check biweekly. Certainly pays more than most part time work around here.

A quick google would seem to indicate otherwise:

How Much do Uber Drivers Really Make? - Uber Driver Diaries

There is an ad on WVLG telling people how to sign up to be Uber drivers. Maybe when we get more drivers there will be more service opportunities here. It's probably a chicken and egg situation-- more drivers means more riders and more riders means more drivers. Wonder if there is a golf cart Uber?

You are also taking a risk driving commercially with a personal insurance policy.
https://wallethub.com/edu/ridesharing-insurance/13884/

Uber may sound like a great idea as a rider and/or a driver on the surface. And it does work for alot of people in mostly big city environments. But as tuccillo pointed out, it's not going to make a driver much money.
As a potential driver, one should really ask themselves "do I really want to pick up people I do not know, at a time and place that I normally wouldn't go to, and take them to a place that is unfamiliar to me?" Not to mention rude and belligerent riders, drunks, etc. And as a passenger, sticking your thumb out for a ride amounts to the same level of safety you'd get from an unknown Uber driver. And don't be fooled into thinking the drivers are fully vetted, and their vehicles thoroughly inspected for safety.
No, I dont think the average Villager needs Uber in their life. Too much risk, very little reward. Just my opinion.

Excellent point spring chicken.

personal auto policies have an exclusion for when a personal auto is used as a taxi or livery vehicle.

Given Uber , et al are in a war with the taxi industry. This is going to get even uglier Uber, et al in my view have acted irresponsible given their business model which leaves customers so exposed. I suspect one way customers may be covered is with uninsured motorist coverage. Still

Well stated. In addition, it isn't clear to me that there is a demand for Uber in The Villages as the vast majority of the folks seem to have a car and a golf cart.

Well, I think you're right. This Uber thing will never catch on...either will the internet.

LOL-------Good one!

When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always 20 years behind the times.
Mark Twain.

Only because The Villages was not around in Mark Twain's lifetime.

Hey, skyking,

When I last looked at this thread and saw your pre-TV location and the way the thread was going, I thought.....I must go back in there and quote Mark Twain on Cincinnati. But I got sidetracked and did not log on and so you beat me to it. :) And now, I just have to elaborate on your point.......

Although Mark Twain thought we were behind the times, I know that even Cincinnatians are out and about, Ubering hither and yon. Ubering with great joy and abandon. So maybe, oh maybe there is hope for TV.

I do not want to be an Uber driver. I just think there is a market here. The legal and financial angles pointed out by other posters are important though and would need to be considered and professional advice sought.

But if somebody decides to be an Uber driver, I would think they could pick and choose the what, when, where of rides, with common sense and safety always in mind. And I don't think they are required to haul lurching, loudmouth drunks.

I can think of a lot of circumstances where Villagers would be happy to see the Uberfication of TV:

The husbands sitting on the benches at stores. (Sometimes they are holding purses.)

The people who have to go to the eye doc and think that no matter what they say, those drops in your eyes do not make it easy to drive.

Somebody who has a ride to but not fro. Or fro but not to.

A day of lightning and thunder and an appointment and all you have is a golf cart.

Or maybe you want to get from Lake Deaton to Spanish Springs in a hurry but all you have is a golf cart.

And let's face it, there are people whose health or eyesight means they should not be driving anything, but they feel like they have to and push the limits of what is safe for themselves and for others.

(I could go on, but everybody has probably stopped reading anyway.)

I wish Villagers would not be painted with a wide brush. We've got it all here. And just because there are some who do not think Uber is for them, that does not mean that it would not work for others.

I think Uber could work here in TV. Vas you ever in Zinzinnati?

Boomer

Boomer, I agree. My experience with Uber has been far superior to that with taxis (elsewhere). I am confounded by the negativity

PS. Did you ever play football in Cinti? Your name sounds familiar.

:)

I hear you, but I am a girl. Just one of millions and millions of us Boomers.

Not negativity, just the facts. You claimed that Uber would pay more than most part time jobs here but that doesn't appear to be the case based on the link I provided. I just don't see a market with so many cars and golf carts. It is too bad that you have the view point that differing opinions is synonymous with negativity. That in of itself is a fairly negative way to think.

Do you know the pay for Community Watch or golf ambassador?

Yes, I do. Do you know what the likely average Uber pay per hour will be in The Villages after paying for Uber commissions, and car and insurance costs? There is also the possibility of damaging your car and/or personal injury. Uber has no "skin in the game". The drivers bear all the costs and risks for low pay. The Villages is not NY or SF so don't bother quoting numbers from cities that bear no resemblance to The Villages.

I agree about the Internet. That's why I get the print edition of TOTV delivered daily. ::jester::

I read the article (most of it, anyway). The article doesn't state how the calculations were made or what the assumptions were. For instance, what is the "hour" assumption. Is it the time you are available, which could include your personal shopping time, or TV watching time, etc? Or is it the time from when you are called to when you drop off your passenger? That could be a huge difference. This article does read a bit like a hit piece, imo.

I am surprised someone in TV hasn't signed up for this. How would your auto insurance handle this in the event of a claim. Would they disallow it because you did not have a commercial license and were not insured as a commercial business?

What is a hit piece?

Not a hit piece at all - just a reset of the unrealistic claims by Uber. The author actually drives for Uber in NYC. When per hour calculations are done, it is typically from when the driver is notified to pick up a fare to when he drops them off.

A "hit piece" is a the nonsense label someone puts on an article when they don't agree with the author or, more likely, didn't understand what the author was really saying.

I don't have a dog in this fight. Uber is a curiosity to me. Sorry to disappoint you, but that's what it reads like to me. That's why I posted "imo". Based on your definition, hit pieces don't exist, only in the mind of the reader. Somewhat naive, IMO.

hit piece
an attempt to turn public opinion against someone/something through the appearance of objective reporting or editorializing.

Laughable. By your own admission you didn't even read the whole article but labeled it a "hit piece". My definition of "hit piece" was specific to your comment about the article. LOL ...

One does not necessarily have to read a complete article to gather enough evidence to determine its direction...unless, of course, you are a little slow. :wave:

I can honestly say
 

I never thought I'd see the day an "Outlaw" and a "Biker" go at it over journalism.

We're intellectuals.

However, few people do hit jobs on their employer in a public forum - a small detail you might have missed: he drives for Uber.

Nah, we just like to argue ;-)

Uber
 

Yes, Uber is now available in the Villages. There are only 3 drivers that I know of, and they are not always online. Once it becomes more popular with our Villagers there may be more drivers available. I use it in my travels and find it much easier and safer than a taxi.

I would never use my own vehicle to enrich the boss. Just another outlet for the permanently layed off to get screwed.

Spot on.

:a20:

I prefer to use my golf cart - in TV. And my auto to go anywhere else, except the airport.


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Glad to know there are at least 2 here!

::jester::



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