Phish at the BGCA

Uber: the good, the bad, the ugly

I used to love Uber. LOVE it. Whenever I can't get a cab, which is often in San Francisco, Uber is there. I always knew it cost more. On average, it is about double the price of a regular taxi when riding within town. No problem - not only am I getting a nicer car with the convenience of not having to pay cash, I'm getting a ride when there previously was none.

Now enter SURGE PRICING! I understand the laws of supply and demand, but I don't understand why Uber feels the need to nearly double their rates when there is a "shortage" of cars. And WHO exactly determines when there is a shortage?

I recently used Uber to get home to the Sunset from Fisherman's Wharf during a "surge" pricing timeframe. The cost: a WHOPPING $84! It should NOT cost $84 for a ride across town. A fare review with Uber just generated a useless canned email response from Brian the community manager telling me all the ways in which I was advised of surge pricing.

My beef is not with surge pricing. Fine, charge a little more when it's busy. I say charge a LITTLE more when it is busy, not A LOT more. There is something seriously wrong with the Uber product, as a whole, when a fare across town costs $84.

Oh and UberX - the supposedly cheaper alternative that sends hybrids instead of towncars? I've tried to use it at least 5 times and there is never a car available.

The once darling app on my iphone's front screen is now getting tucked away in some last page folder somewhere. Riders beware...

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Brian, Jul 21 16:58 (PDT):
Hey Craig,
Our goal is to be as reliable as possible and sometimes we see such high demand our supply of available cars gets tight. To ensure we have rides available for everyone who needs one, we have surge pricing which increases our rates incrementally as our demand outstrips our supply and then lowers them back to normal as demand goes down and cars free up. We take notifying you of the current rates seriously – you should absolutely be aware of the higher cost. So, to that end we show the screen pictured on this blog post on your app: http://blog.uber.com/2012/03/14/clear-and-straight-forward-surge-pricing/

We also include a reminder in our confirmation text that lets you know your driver is on the way just in case: Hi Craig, your Uber is en route! Yacine (4.6 stars) will pick you up in 5 minutes. Note that your fare will be 1.75x the normal Uber fare

Let me know if you have any questions!

Brian SF Community Manager Twitter: @Uber_SF

Craig Given, Jul 21 15:59 (PDT): I'm disappointed that this trip from downtown cost $84. It is way too expensive. I do not understand surge pricing, or how/when it is determined. It almost seems arbitrary. So, I'm just pointing out that a trip across town should NOT cost $84. I am definitely going to reconsider my future use of Uber if it is going to cost this much.
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SF Street Cover

San Francisco's Ferry Building

Haight Ashbury Switch Board Pyramid

This was given to me by Dr.David Smith's staff, from the Haight Ashbury Switchboard in 1978.

Open wide, Claude!

Alcatraz from North Beach

Bay Bridge Lightning

Two incredible photos of recent lightning strikes on the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. We don't get lightning very often in SF, so these shots are quite amazing.

Credit: Phil McGrew, who took the photo through the rain-soaked window of his apartment.

Credit: Unknown (if it is yours, let me know so I can give you proper attribution)

New traffic light going in at 16th & Rhode Island

Asian Herb Shop on Irving

Union Square Christmas Tree

Japanese Tea Garden

Gorgeous Ginkgo Tree in Autumn and Pagoda from 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.

deYoung Sculpture Garden

Ginkgo Trees in Autumn and giant safety pin sculpture that used to be in NY. I forget which museum in NY I saw it at but it was on a rooftop.

NO Teargas or Flashbangs in the Streets of San Francisco

Dear Mayor Lee, Supervisor Chu, and Supervisor Chiu:

I am writing about the upcoming planned police raid on the Occupy SF protesters in Justin Herman Plaza. I ask that the SFPD be directed to show restraint when removing protesters from the plaza. I absolutely will not tolerate a repeat of Oakland in the streets of San Francisco. Mayor Quan and the Oakland PD's decision to use flashbangs, tear gas, and non-lethal projectiles on a crowd of protesters is appalling, embarrassing, and regrettable. Such a decision in San Francisco will surely make the situation worse. I, for one, have no desire to protest. I work. I own property. I pay taxes. However the moment the city government makes it clear that people will be treated with violence in the streets when peacefully assembling, my sentiment will change and I believe it will for many others as well.

I have expressed my right to assemble and my right to free speech in San Francisco several times before, and have always been impressed with SFPD's professionalism in balancing that right with public safety. Please continue with that positive track record now.

Best Regards,

Craig Given

Mayor Ed Lee (San Francisco): mayoredwinlee {{at}} sfgov.org

Supervisor Chu (Sunset District): Carmen.Chu {{at}} sfgov.org

Supervisor Chiu (Financial District): David.Chiu {{at}} sfgov.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bytMNoKNeRA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss0MxiDfS6M&feature=player_embedded

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-26-2011/parks-and-demonstration---oakland-riot

Murphy Windmill Restoration

Windmills in Golden Gate Park

Outside Lands 2011

Mac Envy @PublicWorksSF

Giants v Mets

That's me on TV standing with my beer in the stands at AT&T Park.

Haight & Cole

Best Wishes to Bryan Stow

I just bought a couple of bracelets from Bryan Stow's family. Bryan is the SF Giants fan who was savagely attacked in L.A. at the Dodgers home opener vs the Giants. His family has set up a blog and a donation account to help his family with medical expenses. I wish him a speedy recovery.

http://support4stow.blogspot.com/

Update 4/16/11:
Now there is this site too: http://support4bryanstow.com