London black cab drivers take 4 years to ‘do their knowledge’ a vigorous test of routes of London all to one day become a black cab driver. Yet today, an Uber taxi driver can take a smartphone and drop you off for half the cost. Now I’m not an idiot – I don’t like paying more than I should for anything, but I do fear that our British identity is being swept away and we are selling ourselves short.
These cab drivers who are being heavily underpriced, will eventually work for the same money and probably for Uber, although you’ll never be able to hail an Uber.
But they drive average motors – some of which don’t appear roadworthy, have no driver security, don’t actually know where they are going and always ask for the postcode – will these be the taxi drivers of our future – why not just get shot of the drivers and do it properly – get Tesla or googles self-drive cars, order one – insert post code and let them take you – if the drivers are not as competent as the traditional black cabbie then they offer you no value.
As soon as Uber (who are google funded) roll out self-drive cars – all the drivers at Uber will be redundant. The self checkout world we live in – where if we do it ourselves we get it cheaper will be in practice. Black cabs will be there for the rest of us who are either too lazy or simply don’t know where they are going – a premium service.
Uber will ask for the postcode destination, automatically take the money and take you there. No driver is necessary.
That must be their aim. So message to Uber drivers either earn what you can now – or do what every other taxi does and learn the routes to create some value – and do it the real way.
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James Coates
UX & Web Strategist, Coffee Lover & Ex-Flower Arranging Champ
James is passionate about UX and delivering better digital experiences. He provides insights on how to improve conversions, increase sales and deliver more engaging content.
UX & Web Strategist, Coffee Lover & Ex-Flower Arranging Champ
James is passionate about UX and delivering better digital experiences. He provides insights on how to improve conversions, increase sales and deliver more engaging content.