The Digital Excellence of Uber

## History

                As cars and gas prices continue
to rise, the general public is turning to public transportation as a solution.
However, people perceive public transportation as slow and inconvenient and at
times extremely expensive. This is where Uber introduces itself as a solution
to the public needs by providing a service in which is quick, reliable, inexpensive
and efficient. Many may wonder what Uber is. Uber “was founded in March 2009,
in SanFrancisco. Later, in July 2010, Uber went live for the first time in San
Francisco.” [1] In order for one to work with Uber, they must own a
car. Uber began to develop and later “introduced a new peer-to-peer service
known as UberX.”[2] UberX it makes it more affordable for passengers
since they help “connect any car owner who passes a background check to a
passenger through the Uber app.”[3] Uber has become more popular in
Toronto where more and more people are becoming
comfortable with using their service instead of regular taxis.

## Objective

The objective of my content below
is to bring forward the idea of how Uber has created a positive revolution in
both world-wide transit and world-wide commuters. Toronto is promoting “sustainable
transportation and encouraging automobile drivers to switch to public transit.
[It] has been the stated goal of the federal, provincial, and local
governments.” [4] This is where Uber introduces itself – and in
no time – has become a major player in the public transport industry.

## Safety Aspect

Uber has created a platform where anyone
with a car and a clean criminal record can become a “driver partner” with Uber,
allowing them to use Uber’s business opportunity and platform to create a full
or part time income for themselves. Needless to say, the opportunity spread quickly
and people began to apply to become Uber drivers. A large number of people have
embraced it and began their journey as Uber drivers in no time. Due to this,
there is an Uber cab available in most areas at any time of the day, for
instant pickup. The wait-time for the Uber is close to nothing. A passenger
needs to give a maximum of five-minute for the Uber driver to arrive and pick up
the passenger. While regular taxicab drivers “choose their search-zones with
the objective of minimizing search time or maximizing revenue,” [5] Uber
drivers seek to minimize the travel time, distance and also avoid trolls for
the convenience of the passenger. Overall, there are many benefits to using Uber;
some include “an increase in the fleet size, lower wait times, and reduced
fares.” [6]

Like any taxi cab, Uber is just as
safe. With the SOS button right on the application downloaded, passengers feel safe and are grateful for the Uber service. Uber
is an inexpensive taxi service that is available to those who need it at any
time. Just like regular taxis, Uber insures that passengers are safe and will
also arrive to their destination safely. Uber, in their original black car
service, “use professional drivers with chauffeur’s licenses and commercial
liability insurance.” [7] Also, Uber drivers are safer than regular
taxi drivers because Uber drivers never have to exchange cash with the
passenger, as well as those passengers using Uber are not anonymous since they
have to create an account through the app.

The app asks for credit card
information, address, date of birth and questions as such. This way, “transactions
are made automatically at the end of trips; no cash is needed to pay fares.”[8]The electronic payment method makes it safer for the passenger and the
driver. To ensure that the driver is a safe one, Uber has some requirements for
the applicants, they may not have any of the following on their record for the
past seven years: hit and runs, fatal accidents, reckless driving, violent
crimes, sexual offenses, gun-related violations, resisting or evading arrest,
driving without insurance, or “DUI or other drug-related violations or severe
infractions.”[9] Uber is adjusting its regulations to make
passengers feel safe. As Uber grows more popular, “in February 2014 [they]
announced that [Uber] was expanding its background check requirements to
include not only a Multi-State Criminal Database check but also federal and
county checks in order to pick up on county data not reported to the
Multi-State Criminal Database.”[10] To ensure the safety of the
passenger, “Uber review photos of vehicles before rideshares driver applicant
is approved.”[11] Car models matter, Uber requires that the cars
using the app, must be 2004 model or even newer.

Uber drivers may have some
competition since anyone may perform the exact same service and this group may
offer better deals at a lower price. Due to that, Uber has to be careful of the
cost price, service, and ratings it provides for the general public. The only
issue with that is Uber would not want to lower its prices because the driver’s
paycheck will be much lower; this will impact the driver and not the consumer
at the end of the day. Toronto Uber drivers do not want to experience what the
drivers in San Francisco experienced, barely making minimum wage.

To say the least, “sharing instead
of buying is regaining traction among today’s consumers.”[12]
Consumers would rather be stress-free, especially during rush hours and get to
their final destination safely. Not only is it making consumers happy, it is
also creating jobs for hundreds of people. The “new sharing economy generated
US$3.5 billion in revenue in 2013, and it is forecasted to have a market
potential of up to US$110 billion.”[13] Uber is helping to build the
economy by creating more jobs. Many of those who are in need of a job, with a
clean record, and a safe car, may qualify to work with Uber and build
themselves from there. Ridesharing will grow more popular as the number of
people using the service rises.

## References

Ø
Alexander, L., & Gonzalez, M. (2015). *“Assessing the Impact of Real-time Ridesharing on Urban”.* Retrieved
from: Traffic using Mobile Phone Data. Sydney, Australia.

Ø
Feeny, M. (2015) *“Is Ridesharing*
Safe?” *Retrieved from: CATO*
Institute No. 767. http://www.memphistn.gov/Portals/0/pdf\_forms/CATO.pdf

Ø
Hellwig, K., Morhart, F., Girardin, F. & Hauser, M. (2015) *“Exploring Different Types of Sharing: A*
Proposed Segmentation of the Market for “Sharing” Businesses”. *Retrieved from: http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pdf/07426046/v32i0009/891\_edtosasotmfb.xml*