Uber

[wsushox1]

Anyone used this extensively? I used it in fort Lauderdale two or three times a day over spring break and it was much cheaper than cabs and the service was great.

I know there is a lot of discussion on the credibility of their business model and the fact that they are largely unregulated. I got an e-mail from Uber saying that the KS legislature wants to prevent them from being able to operate in KS. Obviously only in IcT/KC area would uber be viable but id hate to see that happen.

[Shock Top]

A good concept, like AirBNB, but big companies (taxi and hotels) want to take them down.

[jocoshock]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/article17449640.html

Uber email campaign brought the Legislature's servers to their knees.

[ShockMe300]

My wife and I used Uber in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago. We had never used it before and were a little nervous. But we came out of there very happy, easier than calling and waiting on a cab, and cheaper too.

[MoValley John]

We have both Uber and Lyft in Omaha. Never used either, but people that have, say it works great. The local cab companies are trying to get them run out of town.

[1979Shocker]

Uber ceases operations in Kansas amid stricter rules

http://www.cnet.com/news/uber-ceases-operations-in-kansas-amid-stricter-rules/?tag=nl.e703&s_cid=e703&ttag=e703&ftag=CAD090e536

[Uber abruptly ceased operations in Kansas on Tuesday after state lawmakers overrode the governor's veto on legislation that imposes stricter regulations on Uber and other ride-sharing services.

Uber said it made the decision after the Kansas Senate voted 96-25 to overturn Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of the Kansas Transportation Network Company Services Act. The bill requires that drivers have comprehensive and collision insurance on cars subject to liens and undergo background checks with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The bill "makes it impossible for Uber to operate in the state," Uber said in a blog post. The company said it ceased operations in the state on Tuesday afternoon local time by disabling its app.

[kcshocker11]

Someone didnt grease the right palms

[Aargh]

I love irony.

I find it ultimately ironic that the free-market, small government, less regulation on business Kansas legislature just regulated Uber out of business in Kansas.

I'm starting to suspect it's free markets for some, but regulations for others. Small government for some, but government's heaviest weight for others. Fewer business regulation for some, but regulation to extinction for others.

I've always had a dim view of those who say one thing and then do something completely different when I have placed my trust and faith in what they have said.

[shocka khan]

Uber doesn't do good background checks on their drivers. They are a Silicon Valley startup (which the Republican's don't understand) with a LOT of venture capital (2 billion) behind them. Their market behavior is somewhat akin to an 800 lb. gorilla and they don't take criticism well (their management is very arrogant).

I would suspect the Kansas legislators are somewhat nervous about change that they don't understand, don't like to be bulldozed and probably feel more comfortable dealing with local transportation operators.

Given their arrogance and the fact that they come from San Fran (liberals) and the fact that they don't seem to want to do normal things that companies in their space ought to do (like carry adequate liability insurance, bond their employees and conduct thorough background checks) probably got them.

Our liberal mayor here threatened to cut their water off, and after the large cities in Texas complained about their market conduct, our legislatures did pass a law that facilitates their operation, but not in the form that they wanted.

I'm betting they will get back in front of the legislature again, but with more of an attitude of compromise. Whether they will be successful remains to be seen, but just remember if you get robbed, raped (like several have) or overcharged, your experience might not be quite so positive.

[Dupe]

The way it was explained to me was just that Uber can be in Kansas all they want, but they were unhappy with something about how Kansas drew up the insurance requirements or that Kansas wouldnt write it in a way that gave them as much of a cakewalk and foothold as they would want. It's not at all that they were "legislated out of Kansas" or "blocked." It was that reasonable requirements were placed on them and they didn't want them.

It might be more accurate to say Uber walked away from the negotiation when it didn't go exactly how they wanted. Kansas isn't as ridiculous as it is being made to sound. Maybe I'm wrong. I didn't read it myself, but that's how it was explained to me.

[jocoshock]

I love irony.

I find it ultimately ironic that the free-market, small government, less regulation on business Kansas legislature just regulated Uber out of business in Kansas.

I'm starting to suspect it's free markets for some, but regulations for others. Small government for some, but government's heaviest weight for others. Fewer business regulation for some, but regulation to extinction for others.

I've always had a dim view of those who say one thing and then do something completely different when I have placed my trust and faith in what they have said.

America in the 21st century. It used to freedom and some, but not for others...

[jocoshock]

The way it was explained to me was just that Uber can be in Kansas all they want, but they were unhappy with something about how Kansas drew up the insurance requirements or that Kansas wouldnt write it in a way that gave them as much of a cakewalk and foothold as they would want. It's not at all that they were "legislated out of Kansas" or "blocked." It was that reasonable requirements were placed on them and they didn't want them.

It might be more accurate to say Uber walked away from the negotiation when it didn't go exactly how they wanted. Kansas isn't as ridiculous as it is being made to sound. Maybe I'm wrong. I didn't read it myself, but that's how it was explained to me.

Were you riding in a cab when it was explained to you? :-)

[MoValley John]

I don't know the particulars, but we are finally getting legislation in Nebraska that makes Uber and Lyft legal. They have operated here illegally, but law enforcement looked the other way while legislation was drafted. The new Nebraska law drafted sounds alot like what others here have said Uber rejected in Kansas. It requires drivers to have background checks, be properly and adequately insured and to notify the bank if they are using a vehicle for ride share that has a lien. The cab companies want Uber and Lyft out of the market. But once Uber and Lyft satisfied the insurance and bank lobbyist's, the cab lobby was easy to overcome.

http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/with-last-compromise-bill-legalizing-ride-hailing-services-like-uber/article_1298370a-e016-5442-adb4-35384e043d90.html?mode=jqm

[MoValley John]

I don't understand the rape/robbery concern. I know there is a risk, but no more than the risk of being raped or robbed by a bonded cabbie. It's not like the electronic paper trail wouldn't lead the cops right to the perp. Cabbies have a long history of raping, robbing and murdering their customers, so while the risk is there, it always has been. The risk is no greater with a Lyft driver than a bonded Checker or Yellow Cab driver.

[Mr. Obvious]

Most would be astonished how often kids under 30 use this service. In most instances,if you want a cab in Wichita, its 45 minutes minimum. Before Uber, I had 2 instances where I made over 6 calls in a 2 hour period and still no taxi. If kids had to rely on that, they would say screw it "I'm good to drive", then we will have big problems.