the uber phenomenon
So Uber is really kicking off well and it is more noticeable now. I currently live in England but I go back to Kuala Lumpur in the summer from time to time. Uber is not given a warm welcome in KL even though it has seriously done some good for customers, the cab drivers are pissed off and who can blame them? Uber is taking away businesses for cab drivers and it makes life harder for them. Anyone can be an Uber driver in KL provided that you have a valid driving license and if you have a good enough car* (from what I am aware off). Some say it’s unfair that cab drivers’ hard earned money are innocently cut off just because some company decided to start this business but why would consumers such as the average person like myself opt for Uber instead of a regular taxi? Most cabs are not metered in KL. The prices are disgustingly jacked up because they turn off the meters. Rumours have that even if the meters are on, it is tampered with so that the cab drivers can jack the price up but making it seem like it’s just how things work (but I don’t know how true this is so don’t take my word on it). I’ve sat in cabs before and the service is less than friendly. I don’t expect a good, inspiring conversation but I do expect that if I have a hand luggage, you would come down and help me with it or maybe say thanks when I pay? The experience that I’ve gotten from all the Uber-ing I’ve done have always been satisfying because the system is very transparent. I can rate the driver and the driver can rate me on being a passenger. I understand that there can be shitty passengers sometimes like drunk ones who would puke in the car or plain rude passengers who can’t appreciate a good service which is why this service is good. A regular cab would not warn you of how bad the cab driver is, there’s no stars or lack of them to let you know that, “hey heads up this driver has a bad rating and would probably be rude to you.” (ok I know not ALL cab drivers are rude, its just that compared to Uber drivers, a stark difference can be seen.) So yeah, i don’t think cab drivers in Malaysia has a right to be mad. Customers would flock back to you if there’s more transparency, better service and better prices. It’s just business. Stop being mad about it - improve the system.