Private Car Services Vs. Uber & Lyft
- By Marco
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- 30 Dec, 2016
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Uber & Lyft are not the best options
Once upon a time, you had only a few basic options for getting around a new city.
1. Drive yourself in a rental car
2. Use public transit
3. Hail a taxi
4. Hire car service
Renting a car was harrowing at best.
Public transit can be very interesting.
You never know what you are going to get with a taxi cab, but at least you know they are insured.
Hiring a limousine service is still the way to go.
Now, however, another option is available. Companies like Uber and Lyft have come to many big cities across the United States and sweep in just when you need a ride somewhere offering greatly discounted you could use public transit, or you could hire car service. However, a third option in the form of Uber is now available.
But what is Uber, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using it? Let’s take a look at how it works.
The Lure of Uber
Uber takes the convenience of all the things you can do with a smartphone and applies it to the transportation world.
You download the app, enter your information and request that a driver pick you up. The app provides real-time tracking for you, so that you can always know exactly where your driver is.
You enter your credit card info as soon as you sign up for the app, so no swiping is involved.
Compare this to the frustration of calling a cab and never knowing whether they’ll really be there in the 20 minutes, and it’s easy to see the appeal of Uber.
To fit different transportation needs, Uber offers different levels of service: UberX, the basic service, and Uber Black, which provides pick-ups in town cars and SUVs.
But Here’s the Catch
In spite of its convenience, however, Uber isn’t always the cheapest option.
It’s come under fire for its “surge pricing,” which charges higher rates during times of heavy traffic. One writer for the Wall Street Journal reported that Uber charged twice as much during a morning commute in San Francisco, while for a colleague in Manhattan the price went up by 400 percent.
To give users more choice in how much they pay, Uber recently added a feature showing users when surge pricing is in effect. Users may also request notifications when surge pricing ends.
There Are Insurance Concerns…
Critics have also targeted Uber because of its insurance policies.
The company recently made its insurance plan public, but only after it was leaked anonymously to the San Francisco Bay Guardian. As the Bay Guardian notes, the name of the insured is not Uber but “Rasier LLC,” which the company claims is its subsidiary. This could potentially provide a loophole for the company, should accidents involving Uber drivers occur.
And accidents have definitely occurred. Uber denied a driver insurance protection when he struck and killed a six-year-old girl in San Francisco on New Year’s Eve while driving between pick-ups.
In the wake of this controversy, the company has since adopted a new policy covering drivers while they aren’t carrying passengers, but as the Bay Guardian indicates, questions still remain over the company’s insurance policy.
…And Driver Complaints
On top of insurance problems, some Uber drivers are complaining about the way the company treats its employees.
A group of Uber drivers in Seattle recently organized an event to discuss what they consider unfair practices. Among their complaints was termination of drivers with good performance records based on a poor rating—like one from an intoxicated customer—and management’s unwillingness to listen to their complaints.
In the End
While Uber may offer an impressive concept, it still has yet to establish a firm footing in terms of its reputation.
Though its use of a smartphone app is impressive, car service companies have long been using a similar idea, and on a grander scale.
For example, Diamante Worldwide Limousine tracks passenger’s flights so that its chauffeurs can be at the airport as soon as the passenger lands.
In that time, we’ve been able to refine our business practices to offer the best in customer service. For the executive traveler with high expectations, Uber can’t compare.
Our Blog
Chauffeurs offer a high level of convenience for those who need transportation services for business or pleasure. The professionals work to accommodate the passengers and allow them to feel comfortable until they reach their destination. When you’re planning on attending an upcoming trip or event, there are a few reasons to use a chauffeur.
1. Travel in a Luxury Vehicle
Using a New Hampshire limo service makes it easy to travel in a luxury vehicle that features sleek interiors that are spacious and roomy. You can stretch your legs out and enjoy a high level of privacy with tinted windows that are used. You can feel pampered and enjoy riding in a vehicle that features leather seats and automated features that are easy to use to ensure that you enjoy your time spent on the road whether you’re headed to the airport or a business event. You can feel confident arriving in a high-end vehicle that turns heads and makes you look even more professional due to your stylish mode of transportation.
2. Arrive on Time
One of the most common problems that many people have is arriving on time when they’re headed to a special event or to the airport. Arriving late can make it easy to miss a flight or show up late to a ceremony, making it important to consider taking a chauffeur who will help you to remain prompt. The professional driver will show up early or on time to pick you up at your home or hotel to ensure that you aren’t late.
3. Relax
One of the benefits of using a chauffeur is being able to relax as you’re transported to and from each location. You can have the luxury of avoiding traffic and stress by having a professional navigate the local area and take the fastest route. You’ll get to spend time responding to emails on your computer or making phone calls when using Diamante Worldwide Limousine. You’ll arrive at your destination without feeling frazzled or stressed before it’s time for a business meeting to ensure you enjoy an easy way of getting around without lifting a finger.
4. Avoid Traffic
You can get to your destination in a shorter period of time by using a professional chauffeur who is familiar with the local area and knows the fastest routes to take. This will allow you to avoid driving in areas of high traffic to ensure that you cut down your time on the road and take back routes that allow you to arrive on time.
5. Stay Safe
One of the main benefits of using a chauffeur is the ability to stay safe when you’re tired after a long day at the office or have had a few drinks with your friends. You can protect yourself and other motorists on the road by relying on a professional who is alert and can safely navigate the roads to ensure that you don’t increase your risk of a collision.
6. Service
Service is the key ingredient in the chauffeured transportation industry. Many whom have used on demand type services (i.e. Uber, Lyft) do not receive service, they only get a ride. Our industry was built on service, and is in many ways the number one factor why companies, executives, and the public is willing to pay a bit more by hiring a private chauffeured company rather than utilizing Uber or Lyft.
An engagement and subsequent wedding can be one of the most memorable elements of one’s life. For many brides, a wedding can also turn into an incredible task, where organization and planning make the difference between an okay event and a truly memorable milestone. Not only are there themes and colors to choose, there’s also the transportation logistics of getting all your loved ones from the ceremony to the reception and then safely home again.
Leave the Transportation to Diamante Worldwide Limousine
After deciding on a date, ceremony and reception sites and the size of the wedding party, it’s time to get into the logistics of planning wedding transportation. Much like booking a venue, it’s important to secure wedding transportation early. Sites such as TheKnot.com recommend solidifying your transportation approximately four to six months in advance. Couples planning a wedding, around a particular holiday or event such as New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day should book out even further. As for the budget, wedding experts recommend setting aside two to three percent for transportation needs.
Reliable and Professional Transportation Services
For the most accurate count, know exactly who will need transportation on the big day and for other events such as dress shopping, showers and bachelor and bachelorette parties prior. In addition to including the bride, groom, wedding party, parents, siblings and grandparents, it’s a good idea to consider if you’ll also provide transportation for relatives, friends and/or out-of-town guests. If the budget doesn’t support including everyone, it’s still nice to tell others about local transportation options that allow guests to make their own transportation arrangements.
Tallying the Numbers
- Bride and Groom – Executive Sedans, SUV'S or our 1932 Oldsmobile.
- 8-10 & 14 people – One of our Stretch Limousines
- 14-18 people – Limo Coaches
- 18-20people – Stretch SUV'S
- upto 50 people- 50 Passenger Party Bus
To learn more about which modes of transportation best accommodate your wedding party and pre-wedding event needs, contact us at reservations@diamantelimo.com.
Diamante Worldwide Limousine, an award-winning transportation service, is proud to provide a range of professional car services including top-of-the-line sedans, SUVs, Town Cars, stretch SUV'S, Coaches and coming real soon the new state-of-the-art Mercedes Sprinter Limousine.
When you ride with Diamante Worldwide Limousines, you can rest assured our chauffeurs are properly screened and trained employees. All of our vehicles are properly licensed, insured, and regularly maintained with your safety and comfort in mind.
This article was brought to you by Diamante Worldwide Limousines , a world-class limousine, corporate transportation, airport shuttle, and group transportation service in the Boston & Southern NH area and Worldwide. Call 603.329.3322 today to arrange a luxury transportation experience today.
