Uber Cab: Worth The Extra Cash to Travel the District in Style
Most long-time Washingtonians would tell a newbie that having a car, especially when living inside the District, is a massive pain in the ass. Unless the vehicle is needed for work, it serves little purpose other than sheer convenience--if you can afford the outrageously high prices that apartment and condo buildings charge to park, that is. (The last two buildings I've lived in charged $195.00 a month for parking. Highway robbery!) And even if you do have the financial means to get a reserved space, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll find a parking spot once you've left the lot. This often leads to circling the same three or four blocks about a million times, as well as great aggravation. I can't tell you how many of my friends bitch to me constantly about the lack of parking in near my apartment in busy Adam's Morgan. (Or, the amount of parking tickets they've received while visiting me. I KNOW, you hate driving up here. Roger that.)
I've had my beloved piece-of-shit-car with me in DC a few times, but always found that it was a money pit. Most often, I try to get a good dose of exercise in by walking either to my destination or to the furthest metro station possible. While this is much easier done during the summer months, it's still a great way to stay in shape and save money at the same time. Taxis are always an option too, as there thousands driving around at any given time. And after looking at my expenses, I found myself spending far less each month taking cabs to my destination than I would have if Spartacus was here.
That doesn't mean, however, that taxi cabs in DC are great (let alone good) by any stretch of the imagination. Aside from being cash-only, most taxi cars that operate in the District are poorly ventilated, tattered, and smell 80 times more foul than a senior-citizen home. (Arlington's RedTop Cab is a little better, providing cleaner vehicles and credit card payment options... but it's only available on the other side of the Potomac.) Worst of all, regardless of how long you've actually lived here, taxi drivers will automatically assume you're a tourist and have no clue where you're going--unless you're careful, they'll try to take the longest route possible, just to hock up the fare. This my friends, is unnecessary bullshit that Washingtonians don't have the time or energy to put up with.
An ideal (and significantly more stylish) alternative to the DMV taxi madness is Uber Cab. Introduced to me originally by one of the sexiest (yet most high maintenance) men I've ever met, this is transportation on hyper drive. Free to sign-up and a piece-of-cake to use, Uber is a town car service that sends drivers to your location, as determined from your cell phone. (Since using Uber, I've ridden in high-end vehicles ranging from Lincolns to Tahoes to Mercedes Benz.) In addition to the way cooler set of wheels, Uber is completely cashless--something that can come in handy big time, especially late at night or when all you have is plastic. After signing up online or using the mobile app, your credit card information is stored and automatically billed when an Uber is called. (Tip included!) The receipt will be emailed to you automatically after your ride is over, breaking down the fare and route piece-by-piece. And because each driver follows a strict navigation system to each destination, shenanigans are a non-occurring issue.
The actual riding experience is something to behold as well. In addition to backseat controls to the radio and car temperature, and beautifully folded napkins surrounding fresh water bottles, Uber cab even has iPhone chargers ready and available for those looking to power-up their phone. (Something I desperately needed the first time I took one.) Especially when I'm in a hurry or hungover, being able to travel in comfortable environment where I can chill out, drink some water, and recharge my batteries is absolutely awesome.
Even though it's slightly more expensive than a normal cab, these minor yet luxurious details make all the difference. While it's probably not the best idea when traveling under a mile or so, Uber cab is a lifesaver when you find yourself heading in and out of the District--to Northern Virginia, about a bajillion times a week, for example. And after taking Uber cab to Arlington, Alexandria, and Bethesda on numerous occasions, I've found that the fare winds up being only a dollar or two more than it would be if I took a normal taxi. In my opinion, it's well worth the extra pennies (or nickels... or dimes... or quarters...) to have an worry (and cash) free riding experience in a nice vehicle. (Uber is also great on date night as well. Girls love that stupid shit.)
At the end of the day, whether you travel by foot, bicycle, metro, or car: everyone to get around the DMV somehow... all while fighting tourists and traffic in the process. If we Washingtonians must encounter two of our least favorite foes, I figure we might as well do it with style. (And from inside an air conditioned town car, away from the outrageous DC humidity.) Uber cab ultimately finds the best of an obnoxious situation, making the often hurried shuffle around the District comfortable, chic, and relaxed. And as those are three adjectives rarely used together to reference anything in Washington DC, Uber is by far worth the extra cash for upgraded class.