The only legit argument I can see for restricting Uber in Cambridge is that Cambridge taxi drivers are required to take training on relevant laws, civil rights, rules, etc. and pass a written exam before driving a Cambridge cab. (I know this because I help teach part of it. It's an interesting program). Uber drivers aren't, and they probably should be - and not just in Cambridge.
Cab service in Cambridge is just WEIRD. There are no actual taxi companies. The "companies" are just radio subscription services. The only real authority is the Licensing Commission, and it's all wicked political. There is one Cambridge police officer (used to be two) devoted to working with taxis and the Licensing Commission, and I wouldn't want to have to do his balancing act. Yes, this is the same Commission that also handles liquor licenses and such.
I'll be interested to see how this plays out. I take Uber a lot now that I live in Medford, where the taxis are crap, but I'd take it less if I lived in Cambridge still, partly because I've trained half the drivers and partly because of the Cambridge Taxi Discount Coupon program, which does NOT work with Uber.
There used to be taxi companies, but they got unionized. Then the company owners realized that they could reorganize as a service for independent taxi operators: they rent the radio dispatch, the cab itself, and the medallion. Then the drivers can't unionize.
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sarken
no subject
Date: 2014-06-17 06:18 pm (UTC)Cab service in Cambridge is just WEIRD. There are no actual taxi companies. The "companies" are just radio subscription services. The only real authority is the Licensing Commission, and it's all wicked political. There is one Cambridge police officer (used to be two) devoted to working with taxis and the Licensing Commission, and I wouldn't want to have to do his balancing act. Yes, this is the same Commission that also handles liquor licenses and such.
I'll be interested to see how this plays out. I take Uber a lot now that I live in Medford, where the taxis are crap, but I'd take it less if I lived in Cambridge still, partly because I've trained half the drivers and partly because of the Cambridge Taxi Discount Coupon program, which does NOT work with Uber.
no subject
Date: 2014-06-18 11:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-06-18 02:26 pm (UTC)There used to be taxi companies, but they got unionized. Then the company owners realized that they could reorganize as a service for independent taxi operators: they rent the radio dispatch, the cab itself, and the medallion. Then the drivers can't unionize.