2mo ago

Uber to introduce fixed-route shuttles in major US cities designed for commuters | TechCrunch

techcrunch.com

Unrelated picture

chapotraphouse @hexbear.net

CeliacMcCarthy [none/use name] @hexbear.net

2mo ago

what if we did the bus except it costs 25 times as much

techcrunch.com /2025/05/14/uber-to-introduce-fixed-route-shuttles-in-major-us-cities-other-ways-to-save/

19 comments

Tech bros try not to invent trains again challenge: impossible
- We are now at the bus stage.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadgetbahn
  
  TIL
What we need is some kind of double decker traffic train thing.
- We could make it ride on some sort of steel rail and string along multiple carriages to increase fuel and space efficiency
- Or pods in which people can sit or stand. And, I know this sounds crazy, but hear me about. What if these pods could be connected to each other so that more people can be carried..... And these inter connected pods would go on special rails, at fixt times..... And what if we would make like a network of these rail systems all over the city so that we can transport even more people...... And a even more futuristic idea would be to put all of this underground..... Transportation of the future!
  
  Allow me to dismiss this out of hand. How would the people even get access to such transportation? Some kind of point of gathering where they could collectively enter or exit these “pods”? Dumb. While we’re at it, and just for the sake of argument, these pods could go at significant speed since they’ll be on their own “rail“ systems (as you call them). This would dramatically decrease the travel time for commuters, but is of course ridiculous on its’ face! Best not to even consider trying such high speed “rail” systems. Back to the cars! ICE over the communist “EV”!
Talking with a taxi driver recently I asked how was competition from uber and he said that there was no competition, "those kids" using uber would be going by bus otherwise.
- Where?
  
  South Brazil. My city does have a reasonably OK bus system.
- Well that’s not really an endorsement of cabs. The kids would bus it otherwise because the idea of taking an expensive, smelly cab is not even an option. Some Cabs have tried to improve to compete but it’s still worse than Uber after all these years so why even consider taking one?
  
  I don't know what it's like in the states, but here in Australia taxis just can't compete because of the massive licensing fees they have to pay to cover taxi zones and such. I'm not pro or anti taxi or uber, but there are loads of stories here of people who have paid well into 6 figures for taxi licenses right before uber came along and blew them out of the water. I do feel bad for them.
- “those kids” using uber would be going by bus otherwise.
  I know he was defending the traditional taxi business model with his statement, but he's saying he recognizes a business case for Uber if "those kids" are finding Uber worth the extra expense and willing to pay more for Uber than have to pay less and experience the bus in its current form there.
Capitalism sure likes to reinvent the wheel.
- But worse. Always worse.
This reminds me of growing up in Central America in the 80s and how to supplement the shitty bus service, people with big vans would shuttle around on the bus routes taking people for cash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNTg9EX7MLw

19 comments