Uber car hire service?

[RichardThailand]

Does anyone have any experience of using Uber in Bangkok. Here's my experience of using them in the Philippines:

Always a new car, perfectly clean and a luxury model. Often I get an SUV or a larger vehicle. The driver is well dressed and polite. I've had a few drivers wearing business suits! He opens the door for me when he picks me up and drops me off. He is patient if I need to load luggage or if I need to stop off on the way to pick up something. The car arrives in minutes. I know the make of the car and the drivers name as the application show me this. Sometimes the cars arrive in less than 3 and almost always less than ten minutes. The application identifies where I am and I can watch the driver approach on the phone application GPS map. If the driver has problems he calls me. On some of my trips I have noticed there is a copy of the day's newspaper in the back of the vehicle and some cars have alcohol and hand cream available for the passengers.

After my trip completes the driver never asks for a tip. My credit card is billed automatically and I receive in my email a detailed map showing exactly the streets taken, time of journey and the charges.

For many journeys UBER is cheaper than the price of a normal (dirty, noisy, badly maintained, rude driver) taxi

I have recommened Uber to all my friends and they all say the same. They are totally amazed by the service.

How about Thailand. Does anyone use it ? I know after I get there next time I will be trying to use it on every trip. If it's as good as in the Philippines I will be very happy.

[TVeronica]

Referred by my Thai friend, very nice service, they also have Uber Thailand Facebook

Nicer and faster!

Edit : The price more expensive than normal, I don't remember how much.

[bkkjames]

Reads like an advertorial.

[RichardThailand]

Reads like an advertorial.

Try it yourself and you'll be writing the same :-) All my friends who I refer to this service come thank me. Some are amazed by it.

[steelepulse]

We would welcome this in Phuket, but I wouldn't want to be a driver picking up passengers in front of angry tuk tuk drivers sitting around doing nothing.

[thailiketoo]

Reads like an advertorial.

Try it yourself and you'll be writing the same :-) All my friends who I refer to this service come thank me. Some are amazed by it.

In Thailand? I think it's a good idea but in Thailand transportation is usually controlled by gangsters and they kill, maim or burn up the competition. There are big towns in Thailand where buses and vans don't stop because they are afraid of the local song tau mob. I can't imagine private cars coming in to transport people.

[bkkjames]

Reads like an advertorial.

Try it yourself and you'll be writing the same :-) All my friends who I refer to this service come thank me. Some are amazed by it.

I drive myself thanks.

[Pib]

Reads like an advertorial.

Try it yourself and you'll be writing the same :-) All my friends who I refer to this service come thank me. Some are amazed by it.

I drive myself thanks.

Me too...and I chauffeur my wife around...she always complains about my driving and never tips me so I guess I wouldn't meet Uber standards.

[keeniau96]

Those angry tuk tuk drivers in Phuket are now looking at confrontation with the military and jail. Very different place here now. Just settling into the new regime and not perfect but improving. Some of the top leaders are in jail and others heading there.

[samran]

Used then to get to the airport at 4.30am. New clean car, Camry from memory. Great trip. Won't use it all the time but not bad.

[thailiketoo]

Used then to get to the airport at 4.30am. New clean car, Camry from memory. Great trip. Won't use it all the time but not bad.

Bangkok?

[samran]

Yes

[Fab5BKK]

Haven't use them in BKK yet. Successfully tried in other countries, just one word: convenient!

Very keen to hear about local experiences.

[paul2510]

I used the UBER service last night from Rama 4 to Sathorn. I found the service excellent, actual when i booked via the app the driver called me and advised he was on the way. I could actually see his progress on the app and the estimated time of arrival. I waiting about ten minutes but given the traffic on Rama 4 i did expect that. The car was a new Toyota Camry, water and a cold tissue were provided.

It was a good experience and i will use again. I usually pay around B100, which includes a tip for a regular taxi, this cost me B147, so not to bad given it was a professional service. Not sure of the downsides to the service at the moment, the main one i could see is that you may have to wait a while if no cars are available, where as regular taxi's are in abundance.

[Lancashirelad]

Interesting.

User guide here - though seems the page needs updating - no mention of Bangkok or Manila.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Uber

Also, Googling "Uber car service" brings up lots of stuff about conflicts around the world with existing taxi drivers/companies.

[Fab5BKK]

Just an update: Uber banned in Germany

[RichardThailand]

Interesting.

User guide here - though seems the page needs updating - no mention of Bangkok or Manila.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Uber

Also, Googling "Uber car service" brings up lots of stuff about conflicts around the world with existing taxi drivers/companies.

https://www.uber.com/ is the official site

I think conflicts can be expected when you get a service that gives much greater value than something already existing. Taxi companies have for years had a huge monopoly. I am glad there's now finally some competition with a service that sends you a message on your phone after every ride and asks you to rate the driver on a scale of 1 to 5 plus gives you the chance to comment. I have twice left some comments and I have had personal replies to these with notes telling me the comments I left will remain on the drivers records. I have also heard that uber are quick to let go of any drivers who do not meet their high standards.

[RichardThailand]

Just an update: Uber banned in Germany

Those long established taxi companies really do hate competition that undercuts them :-) I can't blame them but you cannot stop progress.