Has Uber offered an explanation as to why they agreed to these terms in Houston and NYC, but has refused to in St. Louis?
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You may have read that but that isn't the case.dbInSouthCity wrote:pretty sure i read somewhere that his beef with Harris was settled.
http://techli.com/2015/07/an-open-lette ... e-stenger/
Don't know but as a company you are going to give in more to a bigger market.... as someone said STL needs Uber more than Uber needs STL. I don't know if that is true or not, but certainly Uber needs NYC & Houston more than NYC & Houston needs Uber.stlgasm wrote:Has Uber offered an explanation as to why they agreed to these terms in Houston and NYC, but has refused to in St. Louis?
fwiw, here is an interesting article about Uber dropping fares and its impact on drivers:
http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n ... -some.html
I had a twitter convo with the journalist and she said that when uber and lyft first came into the market some cab companies lost drivers but most have returned. There are still some issues being the regulatory body, PUC, and the companies such as PUC wanting more data but the companies argue what they want is proprietary info, but most have been resolved.
My takeaway is that life goes on there and like almost everyone else they have uber and lyft while life goes on here as well but unlike almost everyone else we don't have uber or lyft.
http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/n ... -some.html
I had a twitter convo with the journalist and she said that when uber and lyft first came into the market some cab companies lost drivers but most have returned. There are still some issues being the regulatory body, PUC, and the companies such as PUC wanting more data but the companies argue what they want is proprietary info, but most have been resolved.
My takeaway is that life goes on there and like almost everyone else they have uber and lyft while life goes on here as well but unlike almost everyone else we don't have uber or lyft.
Here's the latest from Edward Domain from conversations he had with cabbies
http://techli.com/2015/07/pity-the-st-l ... b-drivers/
http://techli.com/2015/07/pity-the-st-l ... b-drivers/
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Poor guys. That's just appalling.quincunx wrote:Here's the latest from Edward Domain from conversations he had with cabbies
http://techli.com/2015/07/pity-the-st-l ... b-drivers/
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Here's the part that's relevant to this thread:moorlander wrote:Poor guys. That's just appalling.quincunx wrote:Here's the latest from Edward Domain from conversations he had with cabbies
http://techli.com/2015/07/pity-the-st-l ... b-drivers/
I definitely agree that based on these remarks, the MTC's treatment of cab drivers is unacceptable. For how bad it is, though, UberX would probably make things even worse for these workers.“I don’t want Uber in St. Louis because we will lose business,” a driver reported. He continued, “Would I drive for Uber? Yes. Sadly I do not make enough money to be able to afford a car good enough to qualify for Uber driving. We (drivers) are poor.”
I would like to see major reform occur at the MTC level. My position remains that these problems for the workers are all easier to address through a regulatory framework, rather than welcoming a new, unregulated foreign corporation to set the standards.
Please explain. It may be worse for the drivers that can't qualify for Uber. Or maybe there's a good amount of cabbies that qualify for Uber and those left behind will still be able to make a good amount from fares.I definitely agree that based on these remarks, the MTC's treatment of cab drivers is unacceptable. For how bad it is, though, UberX would probably make things even worse for these workers.
Uber is regulated, just not in the manner you may desire. They do background checks and require insurance.I would like to see major reform occur at the MTC level. My position remains that these problems for the workers are all easier to address through a regulatory framework, rather than welcoming a new, unregulated foreign corporation to set the standards.
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I think the important thing is to dismantle the MTC and set a regulatory framework that works. Meanwhile, the courts hopefully will resolve that uber and taxi cos are employees.
We need an entirely different agenda at the MTC. I would suggest a common set of guidelines for both Uber and the Taxi Companies that protect the drivers and the passengers, NOT the taxi companies. This organization has been set up to protect the taxi companies and the status quo is obviously not working.
Article in the Post: STL taxi companies fight anti-tech perception.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... 3d306.html
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... 3d306.html
Tech840 nails it. The MTC does not serve passengers or drivers. Only the owners (aka the MTC). It is time to trash the current organization for something that actual helps the region.
Side note, uber actually has programs to help drivers get cars - https://get.uber.com/cl/financing/. Admittedly there are some concerns from folks around the internet but in general it seems to be a more reasonable situation than most get with the cab companies.
Side note, uber actually has programs to help drivers get cars - https://get.uber.com/cl/financing/. Admittedly there are some concerns from folks around the internet but in general it seems to be a more reasonable situation than most get with the cab companies.
As for the cab companies' embracing technology and keeping up with Uber and the like. That is a stretch. I have tried using the app in the past. Yes it can do many of the functions of their new competitors but the implementation is poor. The user experience from start to finish is night and day. Did I get a cab to pick me up? Sure but it was clunky, slow and if it was truly automated dispatching I can only imagine some huge mainframe cranking away. Like the rest of the MTC's services, it is done poorly.
Walmart and Target have pretty much identical function. However I often leave Walmart wanting to throw myself in front of a car in the crosswalk by the time I am done. Same function different user experience. Same thing with the MTC. Anyone with a little cash or time can make an app. That doesn't mean you are using technology to enhance your customers experience.
#endrant
Walmart and Target have pretty much identical function. However I often leave Walmart wanting to throw myself in front of a car in the crosswalk by the time I am done. Same function different user experience. Same thing with the MTC. Anyone with a little cash or time can make an app. That doesn't mean you are using technology to enhance your customers experience.
#endrant
GStC County Chamber @gstccc
Like @STLRegChamber, we support #ridesharing in St. Charles County. Check out their blog.
STL Regional Chamber @STLRegChamber
We support the entry of #ridesharing service providers into the St. Louis market. Read more at our blog: http://www.stlregionalchamber.com/blog- ... our-region
Like @STLRegChamber, we support #ridesharing in St. Charles County. Check out their blog.
STL Regional Chamber @STLRegChamber
We support the entry of #ridesharing service providers into the St. Louis market. Read more at our blog: http://www.stlregionalchamber.com/blog- ... our-region
The St. Louis Regional Chamber supports the entry of ridesharing service providers into the St. Louis market. We believe that new technologies and new business models such as UberX offer a path to increased prosperity and mobility for all, demonstrated by the investment and job growth our local entrepreneurs have fueled. We are working closely with Mayor Slay’s and County Executive Stenger’s offices on this effort. The Mayor and County Executive are committed to bringing ridesharing to the St. Louis market as quickly and efficiently as possible. While we understand the need for oversight in certain instances, government should look for ways to strengthen the business climate without stifling 21st-century innovation with outdated 20th-century regulations. The Chamber calls upon regulators to balance reasonable public safety needs with the economic and quality-of-life benefits the service will bring.
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Everyone calm down. UberX is going to make it here soon, in one form or another. I'm not crazy about what that means for cabbies and local biz, but it is what it is.
And when it does the region's economy will collapse in to a depression that will force almost everyone to move.Greatest St. Louis wrote:Everyone calm down. UberX is going to make it here soon, in one form or another.
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How long ago did Kansas City get uberx? When did Uber first approach StL about entering the market?
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^ KC just adopted this May that UberX agreed to; Lyft at least for now opposes them and hasn't entered the market... not sure when Uber & Lyft first approached the City, but it seems like things became more involved about a year or so ago.... if I recall right, Lyft was going to go rogue and operate without MTC approval but it never happened.
Not everyone on the same page I guess. And yeah fragmentation!
Chris Sommers @sommerscm · Jul 14
#staytunedstl When I met w/ Stenger's team, they said Uber is more a City issue. County folk w/o safe, cheap transit drink & drive (more?).
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Edward Domain @EdwardDomain · 1h1 hour ago
I've spoken directly with @StengerSTLCo myself, @edrhode @sommerscm he is pro-ride sharing, engaging on this issue & Lou's behavior
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Chris Sommers @sommerscm · 1h1 hour ago
Chris Sommers retweeted Ed Rhode
Here you go, @edrhode: I met with Jeff Wagener, @StengerSTLCo's Director of Policy, on 6/15 at 11am. Ask him, Rhode.
Ed Rhode @edrhode
@sommerscm Really? Who did you talk to on @StengerSTLCo team?
Chris Sommers @sommerscm · Jul 14
#staytunedstl When I met w/ Stenger's team, they said Uber is more a City issue. County folk w/o safe, cheap transit drink & drive (more?).
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Edward Domain @EdwardDomain · 1h1 hour ago
I've spoken directly with @StengerSTLCo myself, @edrhode @sommerscm he is pro-ride sharing, engaging on this issue & Lou's behavior
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Chris Sommers @sommerscm · 1h1 hour ago
Chris Sommers retweeted Ed Rhode
Here you go, @edrhode: I met with Jeff Wagener, @StengerSTLCo's Director of Policy, on 6/15 at 11am. Ask him, Rhode.
Ed Rhode @edrhode
@sommerscm Really? Who did you talk to on @StengerSTLCo team?
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^ Well a meeting on 6/15 was a lifetime ago in terms of the uber issue. I wouldn't trust Stenger with a million mile pole, but I wouldn't doubt he is more supportive and engaged in ride share now that the tech and biz community have become vocal.
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Looks like UberX is on it's way....
The St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission has blinked in its standoff with Uber.
The MTC on Thursday said it would not require drug tests for UberX drivers. But it still wants to require that UberX drivers be subject to Missouri State Highway Patrol and F.B.I. background checks, which is mandated by state law.
The MTC’s comments also suggest that after revisions to its code are made, Uber should be able to launch in St. Louis, with UberX drivers receiving preliminary driver permits pending fingerprints scans at a later date.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... 1437079283
The St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission has blinked in its standoff with Uber.
The MTC on Thursday said it would not require drug tests for UberX drivers. But it still wants to require that UberX drivers be subject to Missouri State Highway Patrol and F.B.I. background checks, which is mandated by state law.
The MTC’s comments also suggest that after revisions to its code are made, Uber should be able to launch in St. Louis, with UberX drivers receiving preliminary driver permits pending fingerprints scans at a later date.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog ... 1437079283
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What's the difference between MSHP/FBI/Uber's current background checks?
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The most recent episode of StayTunedSTL, available online tonight, is all about UberX and St. Louis.