After living in Albany for 75% of the year for the past three years I noticed that whenever I have gone downtown or needed to get somewhere off campus while not having the ability to drive or not being able to drive, there was only two ways around, the CDTA bus which is free to University at Albany Students with a SUNY Card or a cab which can cost you five dollars or more. These are a few reasons why Albany needs to allow Uber or Lyft to run their services in Albany.
1. Fair fares
Whenever someone goes downtown with a group of four people or more its normally anywhere between four and five dollars. Last weekend I learned that it does not matter who gets in the car. We had four people in the cab at first where we were told five a head and then instead of going to campus our driver picked up more people over packing the car and their group only had to pay two dollars a person making myself and my friends feel like we were ripped off. Uber shows the current rate for the total ride at that moment.
2. Bussing
Although the bus is probably the way most students travel, busses run until one or two in the morning meaning if you want to stay out later you have to make sure you have a cab or you are walking. Uber drivers could be the back up plan as the app shows the drivers near by and how long you have to wait.
3. More jobs
Anyone can become an Uber driver as long as they pass the background checks! this can create jobs for someone who needs a job or a college student looking to work on their own time to make an extra buck or two!
4. Create competition
Every cab I have taken has liked to overcharge even when I've gone from one cab to another it is always the same price, bringing in Uber could help bring cab drivers to lower their rates and stop overcharging and make sure there is actual competition in this line of work.
5. Safer ways around downtown
Instead of walking aimlessly through the downtown area in the middle of the night on a Saturday after being at a party or at a bar, you can call for an Uber without leaving the bar and once it is there you can just walk out to it with no issues
6. Pick your size
When taking a cab downtown, I have been packed in a cab after getting in with five people and the driver picking up more people when we already paid or have had to deny a cab because he was trying to cram as many of us in as possible. When using an Uber, you can choose what size car you need so you all fit comfertable.
7. Reliability and tracking
Back when I was a freshman, I called a cab number that a friend gave me incase I needed a ride from somewhere and could not locate a bus. When I called I gave my location and he said he would be there in 5 minutes but, he never showed. Uber on the other hand gives you the location and ETA of your driver insuring you know where they are and how long you have to wait.
8. Don't waste time
When you don't have a cab driver's number google can become hectic trying to find a cab. Using Uber means opening an app and calling a driver from the app making it easier to find a ride.
9. Uber discounts
Uber uses a referal system to give free rides and from time to time Uber gives free rides for up to X amount of miles or minutes a ride. This can save people money instead of paying a large amount of money for a cab
10. Get a ride without going broke
When you need a cab to get somewhere on your own, they can make up prices as soon as they pick you up and it can cost an arm and leg. With Uber, you see the cost and it can be cheaper than taking the cab that tries to rip you off.
