Uber is a rideshare and taxi service which provides for hire car service with the use of a smartphone application. Uber's ease of use and "lower" prices in comparison against currently operating Taxi companies have launched Uber to success.

Quick Facts:

Type: Private

Fleet Size: Unknown

Routes: Unspecified, Customer Requested

Manufactuer and Powerplant: Uber's business model allows its employees to use their own personal vehicle for hire. New business plans to attract new drivers involves Uber leasing the use of medium sized sedans for its drivers to use. Commonly used are the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Lincoln Town Car under the lease program. For Uber's SUV service, the GMC Yukon XL/Chevrolet Suburban are leased. For Uber's entry level service, smaller fuel efficent models are used such as the Toyota Prius and any other smaller or mid size Hybrid models. For customers of a higher taste, Uber's executive luxury service employes larger luxury models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Chrysler 300 and BMW 5 Series are commonly used in this bracket. The fleet is Gasoline and Hybrid powered.

Fare Collection: Uber's entire business model was founded on the use of its well developed smartphone app. Customers add a credit or debit cart to an account, then enter their pick up and final destinations. Uber prices vary from city to city but based on the destinations entered a price quote is provided before requesting a ride. Prices also vary depending upon the Trim Level of service requested some being more expensive than others. After pressing the requesting a ride button the fare is deducted from the card added to the account. Uber sometimes adds a weather surcharge for bad weather conditions. Gratuity is automatically included in the fare.

Livery: Uber's use of privately owned employee vehicles means the fleet has no official livery. Drivers however can use Uber decals and logos placed on the sides and windows. Uber does require that vehicle's used in its Luxury service be painted black.

Innovations: Uber's use of a smartphone app to dispatch taxi service revolutionized the for hire private car sector. Users of the app who request a ride can watch their driver approach with the Uber map application. Uber's use of "everyday people" using their car to make supplemental income has also become popular. Unfortunately, Uber is considered to be an unlawful taxi operation by many jurisdictions primarily because of the laws and regulations regarding private for hire car services. In most states one must obtain a special drivers license to operate for hire cars and vehicles. An additional test on carrying passengers is given and an endorsement is added to the drivers license often called a Passenger endorsement. Second, vehicles involved in commerce must carry additional levels of car insurance. (In case of accident and or death or injury to passengers). All states also require for hire cars to carry special registration and license plates. In addition to all of this taxi drivers are required to obtain what is called a Hack License. This license also sometimes called a chauffeurs license permits a driver to drive a for hire vehicle involved in revenue generation. To get a Hack License taxi drivers must pass a test, which involves knowledge of routes to special locations commonly serviced by taxi and limos (such as airports, major city attractions and venues). Drivers are expected to know routes to these locations by memory only. Maps and GPS units cant be used for the test. Because Uber undermines the profession of Taxi/Limo driver it is a threat to the established industry and a liability because it does not comply with industry standards.

Driving Dynamics: Uber reviews are extremely mixed, with some praising its low cost app based ease of use and others who were dissatisfied with the experience. Unlike Taxi drivers who passed several tests and acquired various licenses to operate their cabs, Uber drivers are everyday people unfamiliar with the rules and regulations regarding For-Hire car service. Taxi Drivers are often part of a union which regulates fair pay and other working conditions. Uber is often credited with being unsafe because of the lack of liability. Recently a woman using Uber was kidnapped and raped. She was not able to identify the driver because of Uber's lack of accountability. A regular Taxi is identified by company name and carries a fleet number. (ABC Cab Company, Cab Number 0001) The driver can be identified with these distinctions. Because of this Uber has been banned in several countries and in many cities declared illegal.