[hipsterelitist]

Perhaps I'm spoiled by living in NYC, but I don't see a way that this could actually work here.

San Francisco is a notoriously awful place to catch a cab, but I hardly see how taking advantage of a local policy/market failure represents something that might be disruptive to a whole industry... particularly at a 40% mark-up.

[dy]

As a New Yorker, I'd have to agree. There already seems to be a glut of taxis for most times of the day (in addition to the higher-end sedans that very few people use).

[mtalantikite]

Even here in Brooklyn, where hailing a cab is more difficult than in the city, calling a car service is super fast and not much more expensive than a yellow cab.

Arecibo (car service) almost always arrives within 5 minutes, and on numerous occasions I've had them say "ok, they're downstairs already" while still on the phone with them.

Not really a problem in need of solving in NYC, although it certainly will be interesting to see how it is received here.

[modeless]

Are you kidding? Pressing a button is way easier and faster than calling a person and telling them where you are. Seeing the fare and paying it on your phone before even reaching the destination is way better than settling with the driver using cash or credit cards while sitting in the car at your destination. This is a far better experience than calling a normal cab service.

[mtalantikite]

Yeah, it doesn't make things so much easier that i'd pay more for it. The process is about 10 seconds right now, and settling up payment is easy if you're not a tourist in NY. It'd be one thing if it was a frustrating experience, but to be honest it's pretty easy already.

Plus I'm sure the car services are going to be resistant to the fees associated with it, changing their work flow, and are thinking about all the income I'm sure they don't declare. Actually, I just remembered this article from a while back about the car services: http://nymag.com/news/features/54678/

But sure, maybe someday I'll tap a screen to take care of it once we hit a quorum of use, I have no opposition to it. It just doesn't seem to be a problem in my life that needs solving. Yet another third party trying to get in between the transaction to skim some money off.

[hipsterelitist]

40% better?

[OstiaAntica]

DC actually does not cap the number of cabs (only the price they can charge) so there's pretty good supply here too. But I would definitely use Uber at peak times, though, like New Years or late-night or when it is raining.

[ianferrel]

I don't see any particular reason why this service would have to remain at a 40% markup in perpetuity. That's just where the sweet spot is right now.

[kragen]

NYC is unique in the US.