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.