Peter G.

Just started using Uber during a trip to Seattle this Summer. During that trip, had a chance to use Uber about a dozen different times. Then a half dozen trips in Portland, Oregon. Just got back from a trip to New York, where I used Uber extensively, as well as a few rides on a "Yellow" cab. In every case, Uber was extremely convenient. The vehicles were always on the new side, clean and comfortable. The drivers were prompt, helpful (provided us with walking directions, information on places to check out, and warnings about areas that were "sketchy," etc). Because your ride is paid for automatically via the app, there is never any fumbling with cash, credit card reader systems, etc. Just get to your destination and go.

The iPhone app is a breeze to set up and use. It allows you to chose the type and size of vehicle you need, lets you know how long you will have to wait for your ride, and gives real-time location updates on the Uber you have requested. It also gives you the name and customer ratings of your driver before you book the ride, notifies you as soon as your Uber arrives to pick you up, and allows you to contact your driver via cell if there are any issues. You are always asked to rate your last driver before you can book a new ride, which assures that Uber has extensive customer feedback, but can slow things down a bit if you are trying to book your next ride in a hurry.

Our experience using "Yellow" cabs in many cities has not been great. By and large, have always experienced long wait times when booking a cab by phone. The standard seems to be "your cab will be there in 15 to 45 minutes." Usually, this works out to be 30 minutes plus. Have also had issues with cabbies not wanting to do business with me when my ride is only a couple of miles or less. In one case, had a cabbie whose car wouldn't start until AFTER we had gotten out of his car and jumped into another cab. The cabs always seem to be "vintage" - at least five years old - poorly maintained and on the gritty side. Our last experience with a cab ride was from La Guardia to New York's financial district. It was like the Long Beach Grand Prix meets destruction derby. Lots of jackrabbit starts, swerving in and out of traffic at high speed, slamming on brakes - all in a car that hadn't seen new shock absorbers in about a decade. My wife and I were both motion sick, but were too freaked out by our fast and furious driver to try fixing our eyes on the horizon.

All-in-all, I am sold on Uber. Highly recommend it, and personally will never use a "cab" again unless I am forced to.