Why Is Europe Failing to Create More $1B Startups?

Re:Why Is Europe Failing to Create More $1B Startups? by t1lthesky on Tuesday September 15, 2015 @05:43PM (#10223376)

I dont know about this. I've used uber in multiple cities in the US and taken cabs in multiple cities across the EU, and the uber experience beats cabs hands down. Everything is more convenient - some cities you can only get cabs in certain areas, or its really hard to find a cab, or some cab drivers are very unfriendly, and if you dont know the city the ability to specify a destination on the map is great. Not to mention the price is usually cheaper, but even if it was the same price I'd still say hands down uber wins in terms of customer experience.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Is Europe Failing to Create More $1B Startups? by Silhouette on Tuesday September 15, 2015 @09:46PM (#10224227)

I've used uber in multiple cities in the US and taken cabs in multiple cities across the EU, and the uber experience beats cabs hands down. Everything is more convenient

You didn't mention which cities you've experienced in the EU, and in any case I've no reason to doubt your experience, but all I can say is that some places with traditional/regulated taxis don't seem to have the same problems. I'm in the UK and I can't remember the last time I had trouble getting a taxi at quite short notice even at a busy time of day, booking in advance is pretty much 100% reliable around here these days, and I've never heard of someone finding they can't get a cab in their area (unless you mean somewhere rural where there isn't a local taxi firm, I suppose).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Is Europe Failing to Create More $1B Startups? by tluyben2 on Wednesday September 16, 2015 @01:46AM (#10224891)

I agree with the parent; I live in the EU and use both Uber and taxis a lot in Paris, Amsterdam, Malaga (and other cities in Spain), Faro, London; these are all quite heavily regulated and the normal taxi drivers are definitely generally unfriendly (sometimes they actually smell bad, will act annoyed because the ride is too short for their taste and cough without blocking their mouth and at one time a cab driver in Amsterdam had a baseball bat in his car because he got robbed too many times), the cars are far worse than Uber black cars and they are more expensive generally. In London I have been beside the road trying to get a cab for > 10 minutes while Uber takes less than 5 in most of the city. And I rather sit in an Audi a8 or Lexus than in a one of those uncomfortable London black cabs for less money (and free bottle of water which just makes it even better).

Edit: in NYC & Orlando I have the same experience by the way; unfriendly cab drivers, no seat belts, crap cars and generally more expensive. But I guess that's not well regulated?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why Is Europe Failing to Create More $1B Startups? by kagamine on Wednesday September 16, 2015 @02:53AM (#10225045)

That doesn't address any of the safety issues from the post you replied to. Convenience will not save your life in an accident, should an accident happen. Convenience doesn't prove the driver is who he says he is. Regulation in the taxi trade was probably built up over many years to tackle the issues that arose over time, Uber will eventually fall foul of the same or similar regulation, eventually pushing prices up. What Uber are probably doing is refroming the taxi trade and eventually the two services, Uber and traditional cabs, will find a middle ground and merge into one service.

Is there a reason why a black cab driver in London, Manchester or Edinburgh couldn't register as an Uber driver and play for both teams?

[ Parent | on HN ]