Sad Christmas: Uber Passenger killed, driver in serious condition

Two people were killed in a car crash on Highway 1 in Pacifica early Friday morning, one of whom was an Uber passenger.

In a statement, an Uber spokesperson wrote, "We are deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy. This Christmas Day, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and with the injured driver and his loved ones."

Uber Passenger Killed In Wrong-Way Collision On Highway 1

Great, riders will rate us with 'smiley' (or angry) faces

It was not enough that unsatisfied riders were able to literally fire a driver with their 4 stars rating. Now they can do that with emojis. All it will take is someone with a twisted sense of humor who doesn't know any better. How would they?

Uber may start letting riders rate their drivers by using emoji

Coming soon: ordering Uber from Facebook app

Looks like Facebook will be first to add Uber feature into its app.

"With this new feature, you can request a ride from a car service without ever needing to download an extra app or leave a conversation," Rosenberg said in a blog post. "It's super easy and doesn't take you away from the plans that you’re making with your friends or family."

 Sounds good, but it may not stop regulation that is coming.

Google vs. Uber

We have to make as much money as we can now because it will not last for long

Google is planning to make its autonomous vehicles unit a standalone business within Alphabet Inc. next year, reports Bloomberg. This new company would offer an on-demand car service similar to Uber, which is also researching self-driving car technology.

Google May Be Making a Big Move to Take on Uber 

Uber laid off 20 people. Wait, what?

The fastest growing US company proves to be the biggest Scrooge this Christmas, if not EVER.

The company that just raised almost $2 billion (BILLION) saw the need to lay off 20 people, right before Christmas.

I am at a loss for words. Go ahead comment below.

Uber Is Said to Be Shaking Up Policy and Communications Team

UberKittens. UberElves. How about UberBonus

[Looks like Christmas spirit]

Uber pampers just about everyone except for its drivers. Here is my briliant idea that Uber is more than welcome to steal: UberBonus.

They make us deliver puppies. kittens, flue shots and ugly sweaters. Why not bonus checks? I would not mind other driver deliver it to my door step (and I can do the same).

Uber’s Latest Stunt Is On-Demand Christmas Spirit

Will UberHop kill mass transit (or at least improve it)?

Lately, Uber drivers started losing money on short drives, but there is hope:

For months, Uber has denied that it has any interest in becoming a private alternative to public transportation. Its latest announcement, though, certainly suggests otherwise.
Uber is piloting a new feature called UberHop in Seattle, in which multiple riders who are traveling a similar route are paired with the same driver.

UberHop is Uber’s latest idea for killing mass transit 

uberCOMMUTE comes to Chicago

If you live in Chicago's suburbs you will soon be able to either save money on morning commute or make money on it. My guess is, there is a lot of money to be made there. (Hint: Join Uber Now! :)

I really can't wait for it to come to my state. My commute is 1 hour long. I could use such service to either make money on my way to work or commute myself, while my son drives our car for Uber.

Uber starting carpool pilot program in Chicago area

Uber says drivers are happier than ever. Really???

You are happy!

I like Uber, but come-on.

A new Uber driver survey released Monday reveals that Uber drivers are the most satisfied they’ve ever been. But some drivers and analysts are skeptical of the findings.

How could anybody like sharing income with Uber 50/50? Because if you really do some math (even in your head) on how much you make on short trips with minimum fee of $4.20 that is what you come up with.

Uber vs. NYC

Uber and de Blasio are on the collision course, and Uber drivers are in the middle,

There is a lot of money at stake, both for Uber and the traditional, medallion-based taxi industry, which has donated heavily to de Blasio. Medallion owners have seen the value of their licenses drop steadily since Uber's arrival. And after an embarrassing defeat earlier this year, in which he was forced to retract his plan to prevent Uber from adding more vehicles to its fleet after a blistering ad campaign against him, de Blasio is determined not to squander this second chance.

Note to Mayor de Blasio: we are voters too and we don't like to get scr...d.

Uber is on a collision course with New York City's mayor again

Unholy alliance

Lyft, yes Lyft, has joined an alliance with Didi Kuaidi, GrabTaxi, and Ola. Maybe that is why Lyft is dragging it's feet in entering my state :(.

Some of Uber's largest rivals Friday announced a global ride-sharing agreement that they say will cover nearly 50 percent of the world's population, marking the latest step in a fight to lure customers away from the taxi-hailing leader.In this collaboration, Didi Kuaidi, GrabTaxi, Lyft and Ola will be able to leverage each other's technology, local market knowledge and business resources. The partner services are planned to roll out early next year, the companies said in a joint statement.

In the mean time Uber is busy alienating it's own drivers by lowering the fees. For example, in Connecticut a minimum charge is $4.20. After Uber's cut and fee the driver have more or less 50% of that amount making it un-affordable to drive short routes.

Uber rivals form alliance covering half of world's population

Great, Uber beat me to it....

Everyday, I was scratching my head to come up with an idea on how let 'riders' know which car is mine. And now ... Uber has found one.

I just hope that they will pay for it though I refuse to hold my breath.

Uber has a colorful new way to prevent awkward car mixups

Uber has another good idea

If I am reading it correctly, if you own a business and you can afford to hire a programmer, you can have an app that will allow you customer request a ride to and from your business. So, if I owned a restaurant I would be trying, this very moment, to get such an app to get customers to my place. BRILLIANT!!!

Today, the ride-hailing company is announcing a new offer to app developers to add a button to their app that, when tapped, allows users to request an Uber driver. Developers would need to register their apps in Uber's dashboard to get the line of code needed to add the button for iOS and Android apps.

Uber wants to integrate with all your apps 

Uber and Enterprise work together

It sounds like a good idea but between Uber and Enterprise taking their share, how much will a driver make? Enterprise would have to charge not more then $20 a day for it to make sense.

The ride-sharing company is teaming with Enterprise Rent-A-Car on a car-rental pilot program, which launches in Denver this week. Rental cars will be available to potential Uber drivers by the week or month.

Uber and Enterprise launch Denver car-rental pilot to attract drivers

The Perfect Ride

Uber is launching its latest feature: it allows drivers to receive and accept nearby ride requests while they’re still finishing their previous ride.

That means if the closest Uber is currently occupied but could finish their trip and get to you quicker than a vehicle that’s unoccupied but further away, they may be slated as your driver instead. You’d get a car one minute from dropping off other passengers one minute away from you rather than a car five minutes away.

Uber Chases The Perfect Ride With Back-To-Back Trips

Three Goldman bankers joined Uber - so what? Keep reading

For most of us, those that don't work on Wall street, this news may not have any meaning. Unless you read so more and find out what's more important:

Uber, currently valued at around $51 billion, said in August that it expected an IPO within 18 to 24 months.

It's not unusual for successful start-ups to offer stock to their employees free or at discounted price. Let's hope that Uber will offer something like that to the people that make them successful, their DRIVERS.

Three Goldman bankers leave for Uber as tech world raids Wall Street talent

"For the first time he is seeing Uber drivers applying to become taxi drivers"

In San Francisco the number of people applying for taxi driver licenses (called A-cards) is increasing. The Uber drivers are applying to become taxi drivers.They realize they can make a higher hourly wage driving cabs than Ubers.

An experienced taxi driver in San Francisco makes between $150 and $300 in take-home pay a day. Uber drivers earn an average of $19.04 an hour – but that excludes expenses that come out drivers’ own pockets, including gas, maintenance and insurance.

Yesterday, in New Haven, during a surge, I managed to make $10/hr.Seeing that I turned off my app and went home.

Read more here: The Uber Impact: Taxis Stall, Then Accelerate in San Francisco

So, which part of "be your own boss" he didn't understand?

A former Washington state Uber driver has filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully classified as an independent contractor by the ride-sharing company, meaning he hasn’t received compensation and employee benefits he’s owed, according to court records.

I have mixed feelings about it. When you are told that you can be your own boss that means you work for yourself. It's really hard to miss.

Something tells me it's more about the big chunk of money that will go to the lawyers than about other drivers.

GeekWire: Uber sued by former worker seeking at least $44M on behalf of all Washington state Uber drivers

If Uber can have an app why can't you???

Finally someone in the government had a brilliant idea: If Uber and Lyft can have an app the taxi companies should have one as well.

Uber upended the taxi industry by letting passengers hail cars with an app, and Miami-Dade might require cabs to adopt the same technology.

In plan legalizing Uber, Miami-Dade mayor wants taxi apps, too

Is Uber unconstitutional or out of control fees and regulations?

I just read a story about suit by taxi companies suing Uber:

The suit from taxi medallion owners and financiers argues that letting Uber make pickups from an app, while at the same time it can avoid the burdensome fees and regulations that are dumped onto cabs, is unconstitutional.

Is it possible that they are suing wrong people? Maybe they should sue local governments who are out of control when it comes to new rules, regulations and taxes? Every time one of them sneezes there is a new regulation. My guess, adding taxis to Uber app didn't help.

Taxi companies claim ‘ehail’ rules for Uber are unconstitutional

Las Vegas: Business licenses ordered for Uber drivers

Contracted drivers for ride-hailing companies will be required to have Clark County business licenses to operate and their companies will be required to provide a monthly report listing who they are.

Business licenses ordered for Uber, Lyft drivers; companies may appeal

Got to be fair to Uber

Apparently some people (taxi drivers?) who have an ill feeling toward Uber have started a campaign of false rumors and accusations following the Paris attack. Even my post was immediately commented with accusation of profiteering. It’s a really lousy timing to accuse someone of taking advantage of tragedy in Paris (while doing that themselves).

Please read: Tracing the spread of Uber rumors during the Paris terrorist attacks

Destinations - the feature I am waiting for

The new “destinations” feature being tested in San Francisco will allow drivers to only see requests from potential riders along a predetermined route while filtering out other requests.

That would really help. Last night I drove someone to neighboring state and then had to drive for two hours back. Since I was to tired to pickup just about anybody and risk driving in other direction than home, I didn't turn my app on. This feature would help. Obviously there would be no guaranty that I would get any rides but it would be nice to have such an option.

Uber’s New Feature Could Help You Make Money From Your Daily Commute

Uber in Paris

Uber service was briefly disrupted in Paris amid a series of deadly attacks Friday night.

Parisian Uber users saw an “Emergency Situation” message when opening the app that said: “Attacks are underway in Paris and its surroundings. The Prefecture of Police of Paris has asked that you stay safely inside. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Nearly all the drivers are busy. Uber France.” 

TIME: Paris Attacks Briefly Disrupt Uber Service Amid Wider Transportation Chaos 

Drive for Uber to research your new business

Want to start a business? Any business? Drive for Uber first.

Multi-millionaire, Kayak co-founder, does ... in his Tesla.

Boston residents who used Uber to hail a ride recently may be surprised to see a murdered out Tesla Model S roll up to the curb. And they would probably be doubly surprised to learn their driver is the millionaire co-founder of the popular travel website Kayak, who is driving for Uber undercover while he researches his next startup.

I can see why. In last two months I learned how to treat my customers to get better rating. I got some ideas for my own business but I still need to polish them a little. All while earning money to pay for my shiny, brand new car.

Convinced much? Join now!!!

Read: Why the co-founder of Kayak is driving for Uber in his Tesla (while dressed as a vampire)

Uber partners with TomTom but not necessary for our benefit

Uber is working hard to improve navigation capabilities in their app.

theverge.com:

Uber will begin using mapping data from the navigation company TomTom, under a partnership announced Thursday. Under the multi-year deal, the San Francisco-based ride-hailing service will license TomTom's maps and traffic data for use in its smartphone app. 

 However it may be aimed for the use by their self-driving cars. In other words, without us. Nice!!!

Uber may not be my savior but it helps with my car payments

I am not sure yet if Uber is the best thing that ever happened for me, will see after I do my taxes, but I am pretty sure that it helps me with car loan payments (and some of insurance). On one hand, Uber is taking advantage of the drivers which would be against socialist views of some of it's investors (hypocrisy?). On the other hand, Uber replaces taxis by making this service affordable for the rest of us.

So, I support Uber in their fight against politicians who think that they found another piggy bank they could raid at will. I will support them as long as they don't start corrupt the system. And yes, right know Uber and Airbnb do help middle class a lot. Much more then the ruling class,

I am seriously thinking about Airbnb as well. :)

Airbnb, Uber cast themselves as saviors of the middle class

Uber has done it again, UberEvents

It hasn't come to my state, or at least it was not announced here yet, but when it does we can have more steady income. Say hello to UberEVENTS.

Rides to Your EventCustomize a guest pass with date, time, and promo code. Guests enter your code and request a ride. You decide how much you’ll pay. 

Sounds like another great idea from Uber that has not found it's way to my state (damn).
 Here is what others have to say:

Uber’s desperate campaign to soften its image has finally hit on something I can use. Uber Events — a novel idea that lets event hosts buy rides for guests — kicks off its first full week in Boston and nationwide today. 

Read: Uber easy plan for events 

 

You need to know your local laws

In light of  the viral video of the Uber driver being attacked by a drunk passenger many of us are thinking about installing a dashcam. But, if you have it in you car and are about to tape someone you better tell them about it. Maybe even record doing so. Here is why:

Uber driver arrested on felony wiretapping charge

But in case you do....

Uber is changing the economy

One of the latest ways to pay the bills in a town where actors and artists abound isn't waiting on tables — it's driving a rideshare car.
Uber and Lyft and other on-demand services are changing the economy, researchers say, and those in creative industries have turned to driving to supplement their income when once they might have spent their free hours waiting tables.

I have to agree with everything they say. Even more, I have my own idea for a business that would be similar to Uber but in a completely different market. (If you are interested I can unveil it here too, in a few weeks.)
Any way, please read this article (Is Uber driving the new waitressing?) it is very educational about future of business and jobs.

Bernie Sanders Hates Uber, Uses It Anyway

Socialists will always be ... you know, the socialists. One of their main trademark is that they are biggest hypocrites among all humans. The rules they want to impose on you do not and should not apply to them, hello Hillary.

Meet Bernie Sanders, the man who 'just a couple months ago lambasted Uber as an “unregulated” company with “serious problems,” but financial disclosures by the Democratic presidential candidate reveal that whenever his campaign requires a taxi, they literally always turn to Uber.'

He must really hate all those Uber drivers if the first thing he wants to do is regulate them. Apparently 1 star rating doesn't go low enough.

Bernie Sanders Bashes Uber, Uses It For All His Taxi Rides

I would like to meet the Uber driver who was his first ride and broke him for the rest of us.:) Just kidding, he was already broken.

Uber is facing legal challenges in US

Don't take your Uber driving business for granted just yet. Meet the Boston Lawyer Who’s Putting Uber on Trial.

That's it I am buying dash cam (LOL)

My kids already told me that I should get a dash cam but I didn't think I could afford. Even though I thought that it may protect me if I ever get in 'situation'. Now I am convinced.

I found some on Amazon. Hopefully Santa will get me one.

The story of Uber driver goes viral, including TV & Radio

Update: They 'rider' got fired from his job. That's on top of charges for public intoxication.

Yesterday it went viral. Todaty it is all over TV and radio. It as on Foxnews and NBCNews. Now, as I type this it's on the radio - Vinnie Penn @ 960WELI.

Watch it again. I hope the driver makes lots of money on this video.

If Business Insider tells you to stop complaining you....

... should stop. They do have a point (and as Uber driver I agree). You can't miss it, although I did have the riders who had no idea how much they are going to pay.

The company warned users in a blog post last week to check its fare-estimate tool to avoid surge pricing on Halloween. Before New Year's Eve last year, Uber published a blog post telling customers when to expect to pay more for surge pricing.

We, the drivers, don't want to rip you off. But, we expect you to be aware of what you will pay for the trip. Nobody wants to feel guilty about you paying more than what you can afford.

Looking to meet interesting people, potential customers or distributors?

Try driving for Uber. You will meet all kinds of people. Most of them will be young and/or professionals. People who like to take chances and try new technologies. People who may be willing to try new products.

If you don't believe me, read this: How An Uber Driver Makes $252,000 A Year

Instead of looking for ways to meet new people and spread your message. Have them come to you.

Use this link to join Uber!

Trouble in Germany and Poland

Uber has found some trouble in Germany:

Citing complex government regulations, Uber is speeding away from three German cities: Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt, nearly nine months after German courts ruled that Uber drivers be required to obtain the same licenses required of commercial taxi drivers.

I am also hearing that Uber in Poland is not exactly legal. Uber as an app is legal but the drivers who use it are not and if caught they are on their own. (Uber says that they keep in touch with those caught by fiscal inspectors.) The penalties are substantial, around $3,000.

There is also talk that the whole EU may come up with a unified laws for ridesharing companies.

Uber cites harsh regulatory environment, pulls out of three German cities

Uber's surge under magnified glass

NPR: Uber Surge Price? Research Says Walk A Few Blocks, Wait A Few

Quartz: How to avoid surge pricing on Uber

SFGate: Report says Uber surge pricing has a twist: some drivers flee

Boston.com: This map shows the Boston boundaries of Uber's surge pricing

ProPublica: Uber's Surge Pricing May Not Lead to a Surge in Drivers

BetaBoston: Auditing Uber: Northeastern researchers test Uber's 'surge pricing'

Get our book or Zombies will get you!

Get our book, Everything you need to know about driving for Uber, today!

Sign up for Uber today.

Drive Zombies to work this Halloween.

Regular price for this Kindle ebook is $0.99 but starting tomorrow (10/24/15) until Wednesday the 28th this book will be FREE. (OOPS! You missed it!) Please take advantage of this promotion. I can only run one every 3-4 months. And, please give me a good rating and review. The rating matters, just like in Uber.

Which one would you pick?

Uber has to pay "Robin Hood tax" in Chicago

To operate in Chicago Uber has to pay 2 cents a ride but get airport access under latest Emanuel plan. That's what the headline says but it is so much worse.

Emanuel budget package that will allow them access to the lucrative McCormick Place, Navy Pier and airport pickup sites that have been the exclusive domain of cabs, the ride-share companies will have to kick in a total of 52 cents per ride, up from 30 cents. In addition to the 2-cent charge that surfaced Monday, 10 cents would go into city coffers and another 10 cents would be used to make more taxis wheelchair-accessible. The ride-share drivers also will have to pay a $5 fee at the new pickup locations.

If other local governments see Uber as an easy target for "Robin Hood tax" we all are going to subsidize unions of taxi drivers that have nothing against damaging private cars of Uber drivers.

Free Uber Rides to Reduce DUIs

Aa an Uber driver, I must say that I like that program. In fact, all towns should follow their example.

N.J. Township Gives Free Uber Rides to Reduce DUIs. BTW, who pays the bill if drunk rides make a mess in the car?

Everything you need to know about driving for Uber

Meet the new ebook about Uber.

If you want to drive for Uber and have questions about it here are the answers.

Regular price for this Kindle ebook is $0.99 but starting tomorrow (10/24/15) until Wednesday the 28th this book will be FREE. Please take advantage of this promotion. I can only run one every 3-4 months. And, please give me a good rating and review. The rating matters, just like in Uber.

Which one would you pick?

Don't "miss the boat" in Chicago

If you live in Chicago and thinking about joining Uber you better do it soon.

Uber Chicago was set to announce Friday that it is more than halfway to its goal of hiring 10,000 new drivers from the South and West Sides.

That sounds to me that long before the Christmas they may reach this goal.

So if i were you I would sing up today, just in case. There is another good reason. Holiday season is just around the corner and that's when you can earn the most. So, don't wait any longer.

Use this link to SIGN UP!

Trouble in Chicago

Politicians in Chicago are most likely pressed hard by taxi drivers unions about Uber in their city so they have no choice but to get tough or to create obstacles non of us will want to get through.

Two aldermen on Wednesday tried again to crack down on ride-share drivers, introducing a plan to require anyone working for Uber or other such companies to get chauffeur's licenses like cabdrivers if they want to pick up passengers at Chicago's airports, McCormick Place or Navy Pier.

One other benefit for Chicago ruling class, fees (read taxes) for those licenses. Big bucks.

Aldermen want Uber drivers to register like cabbies to get O'Hare access

Uber doesn't want go public, don't count on discounted stock

According to Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick the company is not ready to go public yet. 

“We’re maturing as a company, but we’re still like eighth graders,” said Kalanick. “We’re in junior high. And someone’s telling us we need to go to the prom, but it’s a little early. Give us a few years.”
Uber’s apparent reluctance to go public might be due in part to the company’s ready access to cash from private investors. The on-demand car service has raised more than $5 billion total and has a valuation of over $50 billion.

So, if any of you, Uber drivers, were hoping to buy stocks at discounted prices you can forgot about it.

Don’t expect an Uber IPO any time soon