Uber to triple number of drivers, launch 'UberPool'

[rooster59]

Uber to triple number of drivers, launch 'UberPool'

BANGKOK: Uber is set to expand its pool of drivers and will launch "UberPool", a carpooling service, in Bangkok next year.

The private car company will increase the number of its drivers from 30,000 to 100,000 by next year as currently it can only serve around 85 percent of customers with an estimated wait time of 5.5 minutes.

Uber also plans to launch "UberPool", a carpooling service on the Uber app that matches customers with fellow riders heading in the same directions to split costs, The Nation reported.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/11/13/uber-triple-number-drivers-launch-uberpool

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-11-13

[spidermike007]

I am curious about this. I realize it is easy to compete with taxis in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, where the taxis are very overpriced. But, in Bangkok the taxis are quite reasonable, from my point of view. Can private cars compete with them, and still make a living, or a profit?

[ratcatcher]

I am curious about this. I realize it is easy to compete with taxis in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, where the taxis are very overpriced. But, in Bangkok the taxis are quite reasonable, from my point of view. Can private cars compete with them, and still make a living, or a profit?

I am diving in the deep end here, as I have never used Uber services.

However it surely is not necessarily the case that prices have to be as low as Bangkok regular cabs. What Uber are selling is smart, quality drivers (with licenses) and clean reliable cars, who know Bangkok well and probably speak English more than "Where you go? No can, lot tit" "No meter"

Many people, particularly westerners, are more than happy to pay a premium for this kind of safe trip and service.

[Snig27]

I am curious about this. I realize it is easy to compete with taxis in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, where the taxis are very overpriced. But, in Bangkok the taxis are quite reasonable, from my point of view. Can private cars compete with them, and still make a living, or a profit?

I am diving in the deep end here, as I have never used Uber services.

However it surely is not necessarily the case that prices have to be as low as Bangkok regular cabs. What Uber are selling is smart, quality drivers (with licenses) and clean reliable cars, who know Bangkok well and probably speak English more than "Where you go? No can, lot tit" "No meter"

Many people, particularly westerners, are more than happy to pay a premium for this kind of safe trip and service.

And many Thais too. I use Uber 1 or 2 times a day and the drivers tell me that most of their cliental is Thai. The only issue I have that some Thai drivers seem to be undereducated in how Google Nav works. Most are fine but Uber BKK needs to spend a little more time ensuring that the driver has a grasp on Google Maps.

But overall it's a terrific service in BKK and both reliable and responsive - if you get taken the wrong way they'll almost instantly adjust fares and reply to emails. I like.

Edited November 14, 2015 by Snig27

[spidermike007]

I am curious about this. I realize it is easy to compete with taxis in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, where the taxis are very overpriced. But, in Bangkok the taxis are quite reasonable, from my point of view. Can private cars compete with them, and still make a living, or a profit?

I am diving in the deep end here, as I have never used Uber services.

However it surely is not necessarily the case that prices have to be as low as Bangkok regular cabs. What Uber are selling is smart, quality drivers (with licenses) and clean reliable cars, who know Bangkok well and probably speak English more than "Where you go? No can, lot tit" "No meter"

Many people, particularly westerners, are more than happy to pay a premium for this kind of safe trip and service.

Got it. Great observation. I think I will give it a try. You are right on all points, that I was not considering. I do not really mind most taxi drivers, but their english skills are usually nearly nil, and some of them drive like banshees.

[fforest1]

1.Taxis are available with zero waiting in lots of Bangkok... Taxis beat Uber on wait time..

2.Taxis are so cheap no way can Uber beat taxis on price..Taxis win on price

3.Despite the propaganda I guarantee MOST taxi drivers are going to know Bangkok

better than MOST Uber drivers .........................................Taxis win again on knowledge

4.Englsh spoken probably is about the same.. .....................Uber might have a slight edge here

5.Vehicle quality I would say Uber probably wins this one if Uber keeps their standards up.

Unless the quality of the vehicle you ride in is the most important thing to you..

I would say Taxis win hands down in Bangkok..

Uber will only be serving a niche market in Bangkok...

Edited November 14, 2015 by fforest1

[fforest1]

The private car company will increase the number of its drivers from 30,000 to 100,000

Yea Right...

[tlock]

I think alot of tourists get put-off by the haggle/barter nature of transportation in Bangkok, having to ask 5 taxis if they'll use the meter. A familiar alternative with a non-negotiated price will appeal to some.

[siam2007]

1.Taxis are available with zero waiting in lots of Bangkok... Taxis beat Uber on wait time..

2.Taxis are so cheap no way can Uber beat taxis on price..Taxis win on price

3.Despite the propaganda I guarantee MOST taxi drivers are going to know Bangkok

better than MOST Uber drivers .........................................Taxis win again on knowledge

4.Englsh spoken probably is about the same.. .....................Uber might have a slight edge here

5.Vehicle quality I would say Uber probably wins this one if Uber keeps their standards up.

Unless the quality of the vehicle you ride in is the most important thing to you..

I would say Taxis win hands down in Bangkok..

Uber will only be serving a niche market in Bangkok...

Agree with most you say. At the entrance of the housing estate where I live, there are always Taxis waiting for PAX, and while the cars are not exactly in great condition sometimes (I believe these drivers all are self employed and own their cars here), I never had a problem with a driver refusing to go to my desired destination or starting discussions about a non-Meter fare or using a manipulated Meter.

The case is quite different in downtown BKK though.

I use to meet some friends every two months or so for a buffet lunch at a hotel in Suk Soi 3, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a metered Cab outside that place. All the Taxis waiting there are with no exception crooks and will charge you 200 Baht for the 2 KM to Paragon or Silom.

In such cases, provate car Apps come handy. we wanted to go to a place at Rama4 after our lunch and ordered a GRAB CAR (the DELUXE version, as there were 4 of us). The ride cost us 110 Baht and would have cost maybe 80 in regular Cab. It was a nice big Toyota Sedan and a friendly young lady who spoke some English was the driver. the standard GRAB CAR service would have cost even less.

While I will continue to use regular cabs (and there are many good guys between them who need to make a living), I am more than happy to have the GRAB CAR and UBER X option in the future.

As everywhere, more competition means better service and higher standards

[richard_smith237]

1.Taxis are available with zero waiting in lots of Bangkok... Taxis beat Uber on wait time..

Not always - especially if Taxi's will repeatedly reject you / your destination. Its simply enough to use the UBER app from your apartment 5-10 mins before you wish to leave, take the lift down and walk straight into an UBER car without having to flag down a taxi.

2.Taxis are so cheap no way can Uber beat taxis on price..Taxis win on price

I've found UBER X to be cheaper than a regular Taxi (check their rates)

UBER Black is more expensive.

UBER do increase their fare in times of high demand - this has happened to me twice in a year and was somewhat frustrating (1.8x fare)

3.Despite the propaganda I guarantee MOST taxi drivers are going to know Bangkok

better than MOST Uber drivers .........................................Taxis win again on knowledge

I'm not so sure about this.. I've had numerous Taxi's who have no idea where they are going. I've also had a handful of UBER drivers who dont know where they are going. UBER have GPS, but so does my phone !

4.Englsh spoken probably is about the same.. .....................Uber might have a slight edge here

In my experience UBER definitely has the edge here. Far more UBER drivers speak English, but many also don't.

5.Vehicle quality I would say Uber probably wins this one if Uber keeps their standards up.

UBER wins hands down... Cars are always clean and have operating seatbelt in the back.

Unless the quality of the vehicle you ride in is the most important thing to you..

The safety and hassle free nature of the ride is the most important thing to me.

I would say Taxis win hands down in Bangkok..

IMO UBER wins hands down in Bangkok.

Uber will only be serving a niche market in Bangkok...

I agree - many still like to flag down a cab off the street. I prefer to use an APP 5-10 mins in advance and walk out straight into a waiting car and have a cashless transaction...

Different people will have different priorities... I'm happy to see UBER expanding.

[from the home of CC]

competition can only mean win win for the consumer.