[stef25]

In most cities can't you just walk out on the street, stick out your arm and have a taxi at least as quickly as it takes to book and wait for one through the Uber app? I guess it's much more useful when the streets aren't filled with cabs like in the suburbs or at night.

[ehurrell]

I'm in Ireland, and while I don't use Uber (too expensive) I keep telling this story to explain why I use Hailo a lot: Around 3am one Saturday after a family party my parents were worried about getting a taxi, because they had heard lots of horror stories of driver stealing things etc, but were prepared to catch one from the taxi rank across the road. I pulled up Hailo, was able to book (and know the driver's name a face), and have the taxi arrive before they could cross the road (in a suburban town). And since I was paying for it by card they just got in and went home and I didn't have to worry about a thing. These things sold me completely on the system.

[pessimizer]

I live in a pretty central part of Chicago, and have to walk at least 3-4 blocks to get somewhere where hailing a cab within 10 minutes is a reasonable expectation.