[GuiA]

Yes, that's what I bring up every time someone starts with the whole "Uber is killing the poor taxi industry" rhetoric. Before Uber, I only took taxis to/from airports, so maybe half a dozen times a year.

Now, I take Uber at least once a week. Going out with friends? I'm going to spend money on dinner/drinks anyway, what's an added $10 in Uber fares to save me 40 minutes of public transportation? Every time a new type of business replaces an older model, the market size necessarily increases because the new model is faster, cheaper, better, etc so new customers are attracted.

I don't get why taxi companies aren't putting all of their resources into creating an Uber like infrastructure for themselves right now. It's clearly the way of the future, and 10 years from now the traditional model of standing on the sidewalk with your arm raised until some taxi driver feels like picking you up will be long gone, whether they like it or not. They might dig their heels in the ground and try to pass legislation all they want, that's just the way it's going. Their only chance of survival is trying to beat Uber at their own game, and every day that they spend lobbying in Washington or putting crappy ads on buses [0] is a day lost for their cause.

[0]: http://i.imgur.com/GjJZQAM.jpg

[harshal]

Well there are are attempts to setup that kind of infrastructure e.g. http://www.flywheel.com You are correct that the industry as a whole needs to get behind it rather than fragmenting efforts across cities/fleets etc.

[smoe]

In Colombia, there are two competing companies that are doing that within all major cities. Uber like apps but with the normal existing taxis.

Interestingly, their massive popularity doesn't seem to be because of ease of use, but security concerns. Especially since a couple of taxi drivers robbed and killed an NDA agent. I met a few people here, that would never wave a taxi from the streets at night and some taxi drivers that wouldn't pick up one. By using the app every ride, driver and passenger is logged.

The apps are very well done and for me a perfect example on how you take an idea from somebody else and apply and sell it to your local market. My country, Switzerland, is unfortunately always far behind on nice things like this.

[SyneRyder]

I don't think it's enough for taxis to just build a comparable app/infrastructure at this point. Uber goes beyond now, offering perks when you take Uber to specific destinations (eg a free burger at one place, free drink at a specific bar, etc). My UberX driver last night gave me a free bottle of water and let me drink it in the cab. Taxis could do all this, but they don't seem interested in providing that level of service.

[prostoalex]

It's usually a kickback from the place that's happy to sell you food and drinks. Taxi drivers in touristy areas do it all the time, but usually with shadier places, like strip clubs and dive bars.

[jkestner]

Maybe not all their resources, but there is a Hail a Cab app for taxis in some cities. It works fine for our purposes.