What is amazing about the App Smartphone world is that just when you think there can’t be any more apps that can take a simple concept and make it better, companies like Uber drive will change your mind.
I am firm believer that technology can also help people who may need to make a livelihood.
A friend of mine who was in-between jobs asked if I have ever used Uber. I thought this was a conference bridge product or German for something amazing.
In my former life I was an owner of a Waiters Temp agency that I started when I was 16 and sold at 26. Running the business with pagers was a big challenge, especially when people were late. Getting a number with a -911 or -411 was the most you were able to do. I can’t imagine with WAZE and Uber how this would have changed things for me back then. I had the merit of being able to help people who needed extra money and having them waiter for the company. Uber drive wasn’t an option back then.
Uber drive is changing the way passengers and drivers are using cars to get and to and from locations. What makes this week’s column unique? Uber isn’t just a great and cheap way to get a car, it’s also a simple way for people looking to make extra money or even full-time work. Uber drive allows drivers to pick and choose the hours they are available to drive. I was doing a job on site in Long Island City two weeks ago. In the parking lot there were hundreds of drivers with their Lincoln continentals. I was curious what was going on. A driver told me that an Uber drive- type company had just opened an office and was taking applications with pictures for new drivers. The new driver process seemed to be pretty serious.
The concept is that if someone has his own car, he can register with Uber drive (except in New York City which requires a TLC license.). Once accepted, the driver receives an iPhone to text or call passengers. The driver receives fares via the Uber web site. What makes this attractive to potential drivers is: You don’t have to be available 24/7–perfect for people who have to watch or pick up children at certain times, want to moonlight, or have spare time.
For the passenger, you download the app, put in your payment information (i.e., Paypal or credit card), and indicate the address you want to go to. You will then receive an alert with a car description and a picture of the driver. After the trip, you are asked to give feedback on your experience. The passenger can choose from cars, limos, and SUV’s, with the prices varying according to style of vehicle. Since Uber is essentially the clearing house, the overhead is much lower. Therefore the drivers can charge less and make more on the fares.
The other amazing feature is since this a network of home-owned cars, if a passenger is in the middle of nowhere, you will not have to search 411 or the web for a local cab company. Any Uber driver can come and pick you up. There is also a text feature with which to communicate with a driver. Utilizing GPS, Uber makes sure their drivers are meeting their timelines by seeing where the drivers are and how long it takes to get from the pickup to the destination. To sign up for Uber Drive or if you just want to visit their website, go to https://www.uber.com
If you have any questions or comment, Shneur Garb can be reached by [email protected]. Shneur is the CEO at The Garb IT Consulting Group in Teaneck, N.J.
By Shneur Garb
