Since 2009, there has been a new car service called Uber. It seems to be the next best thing, kicking taxis butts. Uber has only recently became popular around the world, especially since the App allows smartphone users to quickly search for and request cars. Now with two options to turn to, I am here to help make that decision easier for those in need.

First, I personally prefer taxis. Maybe I am just old school and like taxis more, but that is just my opinion. However, I did my research and can report on this topic without any form of bias. Uber seems like an interesting twist to the classic taxi. So, let’s start with the pros and cons of a taxi.

Pros

Honestly, when getting into a taxi, a person knows what they are getting into. You know that this driver is an employee of the taxi company, and there are rules of conduct when you are a legitimate employee. Taxi drivers are background checked and have to go through a lot in order to be hired. At the end of the day, no matter how shady that taxi driver may be, I am sure they are harmless.

Taxi drivers are paid to listen to your problems. It is like talking to a therapist without having to physically sign up for a therapist session. They have to listen while they drive you to your destination. When I wrote that, I remembered a quote from the song “Bad Religion” by Frank Ocean, “Taxi driver be my shrink for the hour, leave the meter running." See, even singers need a therapy session from the backseat of a taxi. If you are lucky to get some sage advice from the taxi driver, take it. You never know, you can get your own Ranjit Singh from "How I Met Your Mother."

The times that I have visited New York in my life, I have always seen taxis driving around dropping off and picking up people. Seeing the yellow taxicabs was always cool to see, since I was never exposed to taxicabs considering I live in the suburbs of Connecticut. Taxis equal cities for me. When you see the yellow car, you know that it is the safest alternative vehicle to take.

Cons

The time it takes to get a taxi is ridiculous. Hailing a taxicab is apparently very hard to do. You know how in the movies or even on television when the character hails the taxi, and it just comes. Yeah, that does not always happen in real life. Mind blown, right? As a proud Connecticut native, I never knew that until recently. Now I know, and it hurts. Phoning a taxi is also hard to do as well (and is practically unheard of in New York City). It takes a very long time for that cab to come.

The fare meter can also be a problem in the rare case a driver tries to overcharge you, but honestly, as long as you're in a licensed taxi, that's not likely. But still, buyer beware.

Now, let’s move onto pros and cons of Uber.

Pros

There is no commitment, and drivers aren't considered employees. Uber drivers must possess a commercial driver's license, adequate insurance and be background checked by Uber. It is supposedly easy money. It capitalizes on the app craze world of today.

Uber takes less time. The driver is already in the area and you're requesting them via the app, so the time it takes is shorter than a taxi. They are supposed to come wherever you are and take you wherever you want to go. It is a faster and cheaper alternative.

Sometimes, if you are lucky enough, you can get free tickets from a passenger in the car you are driving. An Uber driver was given a free ticket to a Taylor Swift concert because he was the lucky driver of three girls going to the concert. They had a fourth ticket and needed to find someone to give it to. While playing a Taylor song, the guy started singing a long, so the girls gave him the ticket. That is just pure luck. I would love to get free tickets to see Taylor live.

Cons

Uber lets the driver know the contact information of the person they drove. They are only allowed the information before they pick you up, and a couple minutes after in case you forgot something. However, no one stops them from saving that information to stalk out the person he or she drove. Proceed with caution as you would any near-stranger is near your home.

While Uber drivers are background checked, may claim the checks aren't rigorous enough. Remember what your parents taught you about stranger danger!

Overall, it depends on the person for what they prefer. Right now, Uber is in the news with the problems people are experiencing. People want Uber drivers to be employees. If anything changes with Uber, maybe the experiences will turn out better. I hope this is an informational read and will help solve this debate for those in need of a ride.