[anu_gupta]

I don't really understand why people would use Uber in London when services like Hailo exist. A black cab is going to get you around London much faster than a car that can't use bus lanes, there are many more cabs available than Uber cars, and I would guess (without knowing) that a cab is going to be cheaper.

So, apart from Uber maybe having some nicer cars available, what's the deal?

[basicallydan]

It is cheaper, but I see your point.

There's something to be said for the Knowledge, which in case any readers here don't know, is what it sounds like. London Black Cab drivers have comprehensive knowledge of London's streets which allows them to get around very quickly compared to many minicab drivers including Uber cars. They have to have this to get their licence to drive a black cab.

[mickeyp]

Yeah and just as many of those cab drivers are prone to hectoring you when you tell them which way to go... especially when they take a longer route under the guise of it "being quicker." They're also completely reckless and drive like maniacs -- unless they have a passenger, in which case you'd think they were transporting Faberge eggs: coming to slow, rolling stops and being slow to catch green lights.

They're also prone to be "on their way home" and thus, "not going in the direction you're going" if you want to go some place that is unlikely to get them a fare back into central.

Any competition against these over-priced monopolists is a good thing in my book. Yes they have 'the knowledge' and yet I still find myself giving them directions to where I want to go.

(Still, they're better clued-in than a sketchy minicab driver; but then, that bar is set rather low.)

[mseebach]

So:

- Nicer cars (I don't how that's an afterthought to be brushed away)

- Cheaper (by a good margin)

- There are more than twice as many private hire cars than taxis in London - although, they're not all on Uber, by a huge margin. I "top up" with Kabbee when Uber falls short. (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm...)

- Not too proud to use sat nav (A major selling point for taxis is that they have "The Knowledge" which, in a way, is impressive, but ragingly annoying when they don't happen to know the place you're going and you have to provide turn-by-turn navigation).

- Private hire cars don't have an industry association that calls the competition rapists (This weekend, Regent Street. On my way to grab an Uber. https://www.dropbox.com/s/2qqmy7sldbax6xk/20140426_232545.jp... )

[untog]

- Nicer cars (I don't how that's an afterthought to be brushed away)

It isn't, but London cabs are far from uncomfortable, and most people don't have long journeys. It's factor, but I struggle to see it as an important one.

Private hire cars don't have an industry association that calls the competition rapists

That's not really calling the competition rapists. It's not even specifically talking about the competition you're talking about - the danger is unlicensed cabs and drivers who are not certified.

[mseebach]

> It's not even specifically talking about the competition you're talking about - the danger is unlicensed cabs and drivers who are not certified.

The headline on the article says "minicabs" which is specifically the competition I'm talking about and whose drivers are licensed and certified.

[coob]

uberX without surge pricing is cheaper than a black cab.

[peteretep]

    > I don't really understand why people would use Uber in
    > London when services like Hailo exist

UberX is much cheaper, and if you want some luxury, Uber Lux is still pretty cheap. UbiCabs and Addison Lee are the real competitors (for my custom) - fixed-price quotes FTW.

[fomb]

Black cabs generally require cash. Whilst they may advertise they take card, most drivers don't like it due to the lead time on getting the money through.

[untog]

Hailo (and competitors) let you use cards, and the drivers seem pretty happy about it.

[fomb]

I'm referring to using Cabs direct. I realise Hailo is via card.

[flarg]

Not to disagree with you but IMHO Hailo works fine and is totally cashless.

[anu_gupta]

Hailo doesn't require cash, the card payment mechanism is incredibly seamless - you literally get out of the cab and carry on with your day. Also, about 13.000 London taxis are (apparently) signed up to Hailo.

[billpg]

What happens when you get to your destination and hand over a card?

"Cash? Sorry, I've got no cash. Just this credit card."