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Sunday, October 06, 2019

OC taxi business dying in face of Uber, Lyft

The traditional taxi industry in Ocean City is in trouble, as the days when people called or waved down a cab are fading into the shadows of higher-tech ride share services.

Now, people swipe into their smartphones and click on the Uber or Lyft app from their couches, derailing a once prosperous industry and leaving it struggling to survive.

“There won’t be taxis in Ocean City in five years at this rate,” said one taxi operator, who asked not to be identified for fear or reprisals.

One reason, he said, is the lack of regulations for Uber and Lyft drivers, while his industry must continue to conform to a higher standard.

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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

UBER & LYFT are infinitely better than any cab I have ever used in both ease of use and cleanliness. END OF CONVERSATION!

Anonymous said...

The future is here and customers will always choose the service or product that thank is best for them. Take a good look at the private cabs, most are dirty and the drivers are not dressed nice, to a customer they look sketchy.
I am not saying they are all like this.

Anonymous said...

I live in west o and will only use a taxi especially if I’m by myself. The oc cabs are regulated and are in constant contact with dispatch. I’ve been creeped out many times by Uber drivers and just wont take the chance anymore.

Anonymous said...

Cabs in OC are vomit soaked trash bins!

Anonymous said...

The era lot of of people paying for the "privilege" of owning an OC decal are gone. UBER & LYFT hasn't changed that but I see far fewer cabbie drivers in bars than I used to.

Anonymous said...

I use Uber in major cities all over the US and Europe. 100’s of rides and have never had a bad experience. Infinitely better than taxis.

Anonymous said...

Stop ripping people off and running drugs/liquer, maybe that would improve your image.

Anonymous said...

September 30, 2019 at 3:58 PM I got a cab in baltimore and he has the front seat shoved so far back I could barely get into the back seat. It was ridiculous. But the whole theory is crap because as more and more uber's get vomited in and destroyed by drunks there will be less and less of them. Cabs are trashy because they cater to trashy people.

Anonymous said...

Too many OC taxis smell like sweat, cheap perfume and body spray, and vomit.

Anonymous said...

Taxi’s have no one to blame but themselves! As you can see try cleaning those nasty vehicles inside and out......they are filthy better to catch the buses than call a taxi cab.....same with those in Salisbury, Cambridge and Easton!!

Anonymous said...

It’s called disruptive technology.

Anonymous said...

It is ... ???

Anonymous said...

Too many cab drivers are unable to speak English! Their cabs stink, and the seats are urine soaked.

Anonymous said...

Taxi drivers, just read the comments here to see how to improve your service and you'll make a comeback. CLEAN YOUR CAB,INSIDE AND OUT, KEEP IT THAT WAY, ALWAYS; KEEP YOURSELF CLEAN AND DRESS NICELY INSTEAD OF LIKE A SLOB; AND ABOVE ALL DO NOT RIP PEOPLE OFF AND DO DRUG/LIQUOR RUNS, AND SPEAK ENGLISH,, you are in The United States, not some foreign country.

Anonymous said...

The reason cab companies are losing ground to Uber and Lyft is due to the 'ownership' quotient of non-taxi business models.
Uber and Lyft are graded by consumers, so the drivers have incentive to make the ride enjoyable.
Cab drivers are employees and don't have ownership interest in their business, so they don't care if the car is dirty, that you are uncomfortable, etc. They only get a tip because we feel obligated to give them something.
Unless that business model changes, the cab business will go the way of Sear's, K-Mart and Toys-R- Us.
So, taxi company owner.... clean up your cars, train your drivers, and maybe you will be in business in 5 years.

Anonymous said...

AMEN!

Anonymous said...

It's called progress folks! Take a cab in Salisbury and then take an UBER! My last UBER driver offered mints, water and fruit snacks! Clean car and great personality! No comparison! I wouldn't let my dog take a cab in Salisbury!!!

Anonymous said...

Step it up cabbies or your days are numbered. YOU make the choice, cuz we have!

Anonymous said...

Northwest Woodsman: My son is an attorney in Las Vegas and recently told me that he would rather walk than use Uber because some of the most vile criminals that he sees in Las Vegas courts are Uber drivers.

Anonymous said...

Duh...SIT INSIDE ON THE FRONT SEAT ..Right Next To The Driver In A Cab ..( if he's sitting in a nasty dirty Pee Stain Seat Then So Will I !!) !!