Need Cdn perspective on using Uber

[Blackadder337]

I know there is a transportation thread but it seems to get a lot of posts and I'm looking for yet more help from my fellow Canadians only.

So again, trip in mid October, we're going to do 2 days at Universal. It seems like a lot of our American friends favor using Uber for travelling to and from WDW to non Disney locations.

I'm not sure about the rest of Canada but in Southern Ontario, it seems like there's a lot of negative publicity regarding Uber. Have any of you used Uber while in the US?

Is it as easy to use, safe and cheap as everyone claims?

 

[Marbel]

I used Uber to go from Pop to Target and back. I had spoken to the concierge at Pop about options and was quoted approximately $20 for a cab (each way). Uber cost about $10 each way. It was during the day, I was with my sister, and both drivers happened to be women. I felt safe. We brought back a couple of bags of groceries plus a case of water. The cars were clean and looked new. It was my first time using Uber and I had zero problems. HTH.

 

[Veronique]

There is bad publicity mostly because of the conflict with laws and regulations for taxi in most province in Canada. And also it's a big company making a lot of money and not paying taxes.

Since UBER has a rating system, you can rely on others people rating of the driver. If a driver have bad ratings, I think he can't be an UBER driver anymore...

So yes, it is mostly safe, cheap and easy... look for promo code too

 

[starvenger]

There is bad publicity mostly because of the conflict with laws and regulations for taxi in most province in Canada. And also it's a big company making a lot of money and not paying taxes.

That was actually part of my hesitation about using Uber - sure they're cheaper, but realistically they were operating outside the law in Toronto (it's not the case anymore). I used it once when my friend ordered one, the guy was friendly, and got us to where we were going quickly.

Also used it twice in London, UK. First guy got somewhat lost despite using Waze to navigate. Second guy was much better.

I'm not sure about the rest of Canada but in Southern Ontario, it seems like there's a lot of negative publicity regarding Uber.

Having just come back from Vancouver, I'm convinced Uber won't work in the downtown core, because Vancouver seems to hate cars.

 

[bcwife76]

Haven't used Uber in Florida but we used it in California last October, used it from our hotel in Anaheim to LAX. My dh had the app and had a promo code so it was a good deal. The driver was courteous, friendly, his car was clean, provided bottled water...our only complaint was that he kind of got lost on the way to the airport lol I don't know, but if you are driving for Uber I think that you should probably know how to get to major places such as an airport....luckily we had plenty of time lol Would use Uber in the future.

Uber is NOT in BC which sucks....I don't live near downtown Vancouver (I'm out in the burbs) but would love to have the option of uber out here because transit is pitiful when you get outside of Vancouver, esp here in the Fraser Valley. I drive, yes, but sometimes when I go out with my girlfriends it would be nice if one of us didn't always have to be a designated driver. Cabs out here are kind of skeevy....

 

[pigletto]

There is bad publicity mostly because of the conflict with laws and regulations for taxi in most province in Canada. And also it's a big company making a lot of money and not paying taxes.

Since UBER has a rating system, you can rely on others people rating of the driver. If a driver have bad ratings, I think he can't be an UBER driver anymore...

So yes, it is mostly safe, cheap and easy... look for promo code too

Ding ding ding. The negativity regarding UBER has zero to do with safety or service. I've yet to speak to a user who didn't love it and vastly prefer it over a taxi service.

Last year my dh lived just outside downtown Toronto during the work week for his job. He drove our brand new SUV (we had purchased it in May of that year) and he has a perfect driving record save one ticket in 2009. We were paying a mortgage and the cost of an apartment while he took this job and since he was alone in the evenings, it made sense . He only drove a few nights a week. People raved about the service (not just his but the service in general). He drove CEO's of large companies, professionals, students, the elderly.. all walks of life. He had ONE negative experience and it was just one rude lady who felt he was taking the wrong way.

You will see the ratings of all those who used that driver before you. And I feel the service is much safer for the rider and the driver as no actual money is changing hands.

My post is not to disparage taxi drivers at all. But the bad press regarding UBER has way more to do with people being upset at their business model because it's cutting into taxi company profit and because of the way UBER was protected under certain tax laws. The drivers do pay the taxes though and we most certainly reported and paid on what we made. We had to keep very careful records for our accountant.

 

[SaraMc]

We have used Uber in California while in Hollywood and we have used it in Toronto. All in all I felt safe and would use it again.

 

[Nutbean]

We used Uber to get to and from Discovery Cove as the timing of the free shuttles from our hotel didn't suit. I had the app on my phone, sent out a request using our hotel and Discovery Cove's free wifi. No problems at all. Driver's were great. The ride to Discovery Cove was free as it was our first time using Uber and we had a promo code.

10/10 would use again.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I think I will have to figure this Uber thing out before our trip. Does it give you an estimate of the cost before you book it?

Was considering grocery delivery, but being from Canada and not knownng what brands are in what stores, or what kind of alcohol is in stores, etc., I'd prefer to make a run myself so I know we're getting exactly what we want. Plus I know dd will want to get to an outlet mall at some point, then we can eat off site too.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Also used it twice in London, UK. First guy got somewhat lost despite using Waze to navigate. Second guy was much better.

Funny you should mention London, as when their taxi drivers were protesting Uber, one difference pointed out was that London is supposed to be notoriously complicated and confusing, so cabbies are required to memorize a lot of maps and routes as part of getting their license, which Uber drivers are not.
I'm conflicted over using them. We have the technical issues of being a party of six and requiring a car seat, but also my economics degrees say theirs is a freeloading model where they don't pay taxes to the municipalities or states/provinces who pave the roads and maintain the infrastructure that makes their business possible.
But I also think WDW is an awesome place for their drivers. So many people who just need short hops within a relatively small area for the most part.

 

[22Tink]

I used Uber on our WDW trip in November and loved it. I so wish we had it here in BC!! I live in central BC but am in Vancouver numerous times throughout the year and Uber would be a fantastic option there!

 

[Nutbean]

I think I will have to figure this Uber thing out before our trip. Does it give you an estimate of the cost before you book it?

Yes it does. You just hit the "fare estimate" button on the app.

 

[LittleFlounder]

Just came back from a week-long trip to DL/Anaheim and I used Uber many times throughout the week. I used it to/from the airport and my hotel, and then a couple times to go to the beach and return to my hotel. I loved Uber! It was very quick, I felt all my drivers were friendly/professional and best of all, it was much less $$$ than taxis would be. The only problem I had twice was not being able to find wifi when I needed to request my Uber... The one time I finally got wifi and the second time I had to use a taxi.

 

[pipertoad]

We have used Uber in Toronto, WDW several times, and Califorina to get from hotel beside Disenyland to Airport. All good experiences. It's nice to not have to worry about having cash, app takes care of everything. Drivers have been good some nicer than others but none ere rude or unhelpful. Fares seem to always be less than taxi with cleaner cars.

 

[Shumshine]

9/10 times the experience is great. You can choose the type of car you want (UberX - regular sedan like Honda Accord, or Ford Prius) to Black town care (Uber Black) or even Taxi.
You can set the destination and figure out the fare estimate before calling a car. The great feature about UBER is that you can monitor where the car is and how close they really are.

UBER, LYFT - all are quite good in the US. In London, I'd prefer to use the UBER Black feature as the cars are nicer and that the drivers know the routes and roads.

Good luck.

 

[starvenger]

Fares seem to always be less than taxi.

This is, I think, the main complaint I've heard. In Toronto, taxi drivers have no say as to what their minimum rates are - the city sets those rates. Presumably, with the Private Transportation Company provision, they can be more competitive with Uber in terms of pricing. And hopefully, this proves beneficial for everyone.

 

[pharm55]

Have any of you used Uber while in the US?

Is it as easy to use, safe and cheap as everyone claims?

I have only had opportunity to use Uber once but definitely would again. We were in Vegas in June and took a taxi from the airport midday - asked the driver to please take us on the shortest route to our hotel which I had read was through downtown and not the interstate. He assured me he was taking us on shortest route. Nope took us on the interstate.
So for the return trip to the airport I told my husband we were taking an uber. You book through app, know the price range before you book, pay through the app and there is no tip expected. We did the mid priced uber as there was price surge on at the time for the cheapest ride, asked the driver to please take us on shortest route to airport - he said he would but warned there was some construction so might slow us down. In the end it was still $12 cheaper than the taxi and the return trip was in rush hour.
Given the choice I will take uber rather than a taxi in the future if it's available.

 

[klam_chowder]

I'm a big Uber fan - use it in ON all the time to go to the airport, and was even using them to get home from the airport but that's been temporarily been given the legal kibosh.

I've used it to get around LAX/Anaheim/Burbank as well. All the vehicles I've rode in have been much nicer and cleaner than any cab. As a solo female traveller, it's great knowing if I go missing they'll know EXACTLY who's vehicle I got in so it's insurance that the Uber driver isn't going to try anything (unlike when I hail a cab). Also as it's a cashless transaction, neither the driver nor I have to worry about getting robbed.

My big tip is if you order one and the driver doesn't contact you or it doesn't show up within a few minutes (usually just a five min wait for one), just order another one. I had to do this twice so far but no worse than trying to catch a cab. After I order one, I usually text the driver to let him/her know what I'm wearing so they know who to look for.

The app is updated to include improvements like letting the driver know which post/pillar the rider is waiting at for large places like airports. Altho I love DME and use Disney busses, already I plan to use Uber on my trip to the World next month for some resort to resort ADRs. If anyone wants to use my code (KL170) when they sign up for Uber, you get your first trip for free (up to $20, and I get a credit too). Have a fab trip!

cheers,