The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the big problems.

Re:The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the bi... by AznHisoka on Friday January 27, 2012 @11:20PM (#3521310)

While NY has pretty decent public transit, the whole experience is still horrible and soul-sucking. Having a hard day at work is already tough, but add in a hour of pushing inside crowded subway trains, next to inconsiderate people who don't bother to make room and no wonder most people in NYC are stressed out.

So rather than address cost, I want to see an Uber bus that transports people from residential areas downtown to replace crowded subways. The grown up version of a school bus. Market it as a fun experience and alternative to crowded trains. I wouldn't mind paying a premium for it.

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Re:The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the bi... by enf on Friday January 27, 2012 @11:53PM (#3521368)

It would be great to see if there was a market for a premium bus service, but your competition is probably municipal buses, not subways, since your bus can't compete with subways on passenger capacity (limited to 62 feet) or speed (subject to traffic signals and congestion from other vehicles).

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Re:The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the bi... by apaprocki on Saturday January 28, 2012 @02:01AM (#3521521)

There is a premium bus service in NYC:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/sbs/

The bus lanes have ticket-issuing cameras to ensure they stay free of cars for the buses to speed through. It might not be as fast as a subway on a good day, but at least there are attempts to offer new services.

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Re:The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the bi... by throwaway1979 on Saturday January 28, 2012 @09:20AM (#3522115)

NYC subways decent??? It blows my mind away how people put up with it. Has any New Yorker taken public transit in Europe? If I have 2-3 people in my group, I have stopped taking the subway entirely.

Btw ... Uber is still cars. On a typical day, the NYC subway system carries 4 million riders. The estimate for taxis is far far less (probably less than 500K people).

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Re:The problem with startups is that they can’t solve the bi... by justincormack on Saturday January 28, 2012 @12:58PM (#3522684)

I use the bus in London. At commuter times everyone on the top deck has smartphones or ipads; you can get bandwidth on the bus unlike the subway. About half of all uk bus journeys take place in London. You need a lot of capacity to make bus systems good.

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