Discussion: Pros and cons of Uber

Here we discuss the pros and cons of Uber seen from the point of view of the customers, the Uber drivers, and the competitors, and to assess Uber's future potential.

Uber from customers’ point of view

The most relevant sources for a discussion of the pros and cons of Uber seen from the point of view of the customers are the articles “What is Uber and what should I think about the controversies?”, and “Why Uber Is So Controversial”.

According to “What is Uber…”, the pros of Uber from a customer’s perspective are the smaller fares rates which are “on average, much cheaper than a standard black cab” (ll. 10-11). The article offers detailed information about the fares in London: “Users are then charged a base fare of £2.50, plus 15p a minute and £1.25 a mile for a journey, with a minimum fee of £5.” (ll. 16-17)

According to the same article, another pro of Uber from the customers’ perspective is the relatively short waiting time: “Because they tend to be nearby, passengers tend to be picked up within minutes.” (ll. 14-15)

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Uber from drivers’ point of view

The pros and cons of Uber according to Uber drivers’ point of view concern their status, their expenses, and their safety. 

A pro of Uber from their perspective is the cheap and easy process of becoming an Uber driver. This is described in the article “Why Uber Is So Controversial”: “Uber requirements: if you are 21, possess a clean driver record and criminal record, have a car that is less than ten years old, and if you have fifty dollars cash, you can theoretically become an Uber driver.” (ll. 55-57)

Furthermore, prospective Uber drivers are exempted from the various costs of gaining a taxi licence as they are considered minicab drivers. This makes joining Uber very attractive for drivers. According to “What is Uber…”, Uber drivers in London are exempted from passing “The Knowledge - cabbies' tough exam of London's geography that can take years to learn” (ll. 40-41)

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Uber from competitors’ point of view

Your discussion of the pros and cons of Uber, should also take into account the point of view of Uber competitors, which are traditional taxi companies and taxi drivers. All three sources in your exam material offer you some ideas about the pros and cons of Uber from this perspective.

However, most of the pros of Uber mentioned by competitors are described as an unfair competitive advantage. Consequently, the factors which are pros for Uber usually represent disadvantages for their competitors. Both “What is Uber…?” and “Why Uber Is So Controversial”, account for the various regulations and taxes that Uber avoids but which its competitors have to pay. “What is Uber…?” states: “…they aren’t regulated in the same strict way as taxi drivers by any authorities. This has led to a huge increase in car supply and tough competition for licence-holding taxi drivers...” (ll. 32-34)

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