From Coffee to Cab Rides – Small Payments Everywhere
Whether you're dropping a few coins in a tip jar or signing a credit card receipt, technology is nudging us to pay small amounts more often. But is it good for us?
Drinks don't smell as pungent as food, but they can stain upholstery and cost the cab company money to clean. So, if you bring a beverage in, try to keep it to a minimum. Payment Methods
In most cities, it's not unusual to see black cab drivers accept credit and debit cards for fare. They're likely to use a card reader that's either handheld, or fixed to the driver's dashboard. Most of these devices, like the ones used by brick-and-mortar retailers, offer the same protections as your credit card — meaning you shouldn't have to worry about fraudulent transactions.
In addition to card payment terminals, cab drivers can now also accept digital payments from customers using mobile apps. The most popular of these, Way2ride and Curb, allow users to pay their cab rides with Apple Pay, Venmo or PayPal. While earlier versions of the app were limited to New York City taxis that use CMT's or VeriFone's in-cab payment technology, both now work in all city cabs.
These mobile payment apps are also a lot safer than carrying around cash, as the transaction takes place on your smartphone, and most smartphone providers have zero-liability policies. However, it's still important to keep in mind that you shouldn't bring food or drinks with you, as they may leave behind smelly stains on the cab upholstery. Drivers Don't Make Any Money On Stops
Despite what you might think Uber drivers are not making any money on stops. They are paid a fraction of what you are charged when accepting the ride and any additional time they spend on your stop isn’t added to their earnings.정보이용료 현금화
Drivers are tipped based on what they bring to the trip, not how long you are at each stop. You might think you are helping them out by taking more than 5 minutes at a stop, but to a driver it’s just not worth their while to spend that much time on your trip. If the meter isn’t moving they will just end your stop and start driving again.
When drivers first start out they are often told to offer water, gum, candy, mints, charging cords, hand disinfectant and Kleenex because it brings in tips. But once they realize that they are paying out of pocket for those items and not getting any extra money from riders it’s a no-brainer to cut back on the freebies and only provide what is needed to get the job done. Surge Pricing
The company’s pricing model allows it to use surge pricing when demand outpaces supply. During these times, Uber can increase the cost of a ride by a multiplier. This can make rides much more expensive than normal, especially if you need to take your car during the rush. It’s similar to the way tickets for sports events go up in price during playoff season. But unlike ticket prices, Uber’s surge pricing is not visible to customers, and many people feel they are being gouged.
The reason is that Uber’s normal price sets the reference point for what a ride “should” cost. This is lower than what taxicabs and limo services charge, which makes a surge rate seem exorbitant. In addition, it’s not clear how the surge multiplier is calculated. The algorithm is a closely guarded secret that is difficult to explain to riders. As a result, they feel powerless and disgruntled when faced with surge pricing.
Surge pricing also comes under fire from some politicians, who see it as an example of corporate greed. New York City councilman David Greenfield recently introduced legislation aimed at ridesharing companies that would cap the maximum fare at 100% of its normal price during surge pricing periods. This is part of a larger movement toward government control over on-demand businesses, and it’s unlikely to succeed.
Uber has said that it uses surge pricing to ensure that its drivers can break even during busy periods. It’s important to remember that these drivers are not employees of Uber; they are independent contractors who must cover their own costs. These include gas, insurance, maintenance, detailing, and other vehicle expenses. When fares are low, it’s hard to meet these expenses.
Uber’s surge pricing can help them meet their goals and provide jobs for thousands of drivers in the US. It’s a good thing for them to be able to do that, and it allows riders to get the rides they need when they need them. But the truth is that surge pricing doesn’t address the real problem of underpaying drivers, and it should not be banned.