Difference Between Uber and Taxi

Table of Contents

Key Difference – Uber vs Taxi

Uber is a smartphone-enabled ‘Taxi’ service that is safe and convenient. Uber provides different levels of services, prices, and cars and operates in many cities worldwide. Although roughly considered as a taxi service, Uber is different from a regular taxi. The key difference between Uber and Taxi is that Uber works on a smartphone application whereas Taxis works in a traditional manner. Let us take a closer look at both Uber and Taxi to see what makes them different from each other.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Uber
3. What is a Taxi
4. Side by Side Comparison – Uber vs Taxi in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Uber?

Uber is a convenient and safe taxi service that can be used via any smartphone. With Uber, you can hire a driver who will pick you up within minutes and take you to your destination. To start using Uber as a passenger, all you have to do is create an account with Uber and download the Uber app to your phone. This app can be downloaded to any iPhone, Windows or Android phone.

How Does Uber Work?

Once you submit a trip request on this app, your request will be automatically directed to the driver nearest to your location. Your app will also notify you an estimated time for the arrival of your driver. This allows the driver to pick you up within minutes and take you to your desired destination. Uber app can also select navigational routes, calculate the distance and the fare, and transfer your payment to your driver. There is no need for you to pay the driver in cash since your fare is automatically charged to the payment method you’ve linked to your Uber account.

Figure 01: Uber app

Safety

Uber is often hailed as a safe and customer-friendly service since your driver’s name, vehicle type, and license plate number will be sent to you before he picks you up. Uber will also ask you to rate the driver and the overall experience from 1 to 5 starts at the end of your journey. This will affect the driver’s overall rating, which is visible to all passengers. Thus, this rating system allows you to recommend this driver or warn against him to other passengers. Uber also uses GPS all the time, so it will keep track of your whereabouts. It will also keep track on where you are and what address you are heading to.

Price

Uber fares can sometimes be cheaper than normal taxi fares. This is especially true in the case of long trips. Uber is also a cheaper option for trips outside the city. But this may not apply for shorter trips. While Uber provides an estimate of the overall price before you get into the car, the final price may include extra factors such as weather and traffic. The prices in Uber are sometimes increased by a certain percentage when there is a high demand for cars. This is called Surge Pricing. The fares can be doubled or tripled during periods of high demand; for examples, during rush hours, rain and snow storms, dates of concert events, etc.

What is a Taxi?

When compared to Uber, the normal taxi service does feel bit outdated and inconvenient. But, there are advantages of using taxis as well. Although Uber is often considered to be smarter than a taxi, local taxi service may sometimes be a smarter choice for your wallet. For quick trips that come with small costs, the local taxi service will be the cheaper option.

There are many times when the taxi driver is a better alternative to uber. The local taxi can be a better option during rush hours (or during times when the demand for cars is high) since it relies on meters and fare schedules. Taxi drivers are also pretty knowledgeable about the routes and city, whereas some Uber drivers may not know the city well and will rely only on technology.

Figure 02: Taxi

Some taxi drivers are stoic, and some are chatty. You should never mistake your taxi driver for a friend. The driver will sit at the front, and the passenger will be at the back with a scratched-up window in between.

When you are taking a local taxi, you have no way of knowing any details about the driver, unlike in an Uber taxi. If you forget something in the taxi, you cannot contact the taxi again unless you know the license number of the taxi or other information about the driver.

What is the Difference Between Uber and Taxi?

Uber vs Taxi
A driver and a vehicle can be reserved through the smartphone.	Taxi cannot be ordered/booked via a smartphone.
Refusal
Uber does not refuse customers.	Driver can refuse passengers.
Driver
The driver’s name, vehicle type, and license plate number will be sent to the passenger before the driver arrives.	The passenger has no way of knowing any details about the driver.
Taxi Information
The company has license plate numbers and other information, making it easy to retrieve lost or forgotten belongings.	Passengers will need to remember taxi driver information, making it difficult to retrieve lost or forgotten belongings.
Cost
Long trips and trips outside the city will be cheaper than a normal taxi fare.	Short trips, trips during high demand will be cheaper.
Calculating the Fare
Factors like traffic, weather can affect the fare.	The fare depends on meters and fare schedules.
Payment Method
Online Payment Method.	Fare can be paid via credit card or cash.
Discounts
Fare discounts and promotions available	Discounts are not available
Accidents
In case of an accident, the passenger has compensation from the company.	Passenger is protected by the law.
Scheduling the Trip
The trip can be scheduled.	The trip cannot be scheduled.
Tracking the Location
The passenger can track his location.	The passenger cannot track his location.
Driver’s Familiarity with the City
The driver may not be familiar with the city.	The driver is often familiar with the city.
Rating
The passengers can rate the driver and the overall experience.	There is no such rating system.

Summary – Uber vs Taxi

It is clear from the above comparison that there is a marked difference between Uber and Taxi. Uber can provide you more comfort, style, convenience, and safety. But, local taxi service can be a cheaper option in some instances.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2729864” (Public Domain) via Pixabay
2. “യാത്ര തുടങ്ങുവാന്‍ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കുന്നു “By Sandeepnewstyle – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5yrnZ6YsqOx07CcnqZemLyue8OinZ%2Bdopq7pLGMm5ytr5Wau27BwZ6pZpmemXq3v4ytmLGhXw%3D%3D