Uber Ames

[cyclone87]

Uber will begin operating in Ames tomorrow (Tuesday August 4th), it will be the 4th city in Iowa to offer Uber rides: http://amestrib.com/news/uber-begin-offering-rides-ames-tuesday

Will be nice for those trying to find a way home from the bar, many nights during the school year there are not enough taxis in Ames to keep up. Have to feel for local taxi businesses like Fitz's taxi though.

 

[CloneinWDSM]

Will be huge on game days I bet. If you live in West Ames, that will work wonders

 

[alarson]

Very needed. Especially on nights the drunk bus isn't running

 

[cstrunk]

With CyRide offering free rides from Campustown on almost every night, I find it hard to believe that anyone will make much money driving Uber in Ames.

 

[chuckd4735]

With CyRide offering free rides from Campustown on almost every night, I find it hard to believe that anyone will make much money driving Uber in Ames.

Doesn't CyRide only do free rides Friday and Saturday nights during the fall and spring semesters?

 

[dmclone]

With CyRide offering free rides from Campustown on almost every night, I find it hard to believe that anyone will make much money driving Uber in Ames.

Doesn't Ames have residents who are not going to ISU?

 

[cycfan1]

As someone who has tried to support the taxi industry in Ames, I say awesome. Taxis in Ames are rediculous, there is maybe one in campustown when busses are not running during the summer and usually end up walking back to west Ames.

 

[Cycsk]

Do you think this will destroy the taxi business in Ames? Or will it mostly draw on a new market segment that isn't using taxis now? I've never used a taxi in Ames, but I could see myself using Uber. It is just so cheap and easy (and it is harder to get a taxi because you can't just walk on the street and wave for one).

 

[Judoka]

Do you think this will destroy the taxi business in Ames? Or will it mostly draw on a new market segment that isn't using taxis now? I've never used a taxi in Ames, but I could see myself using Uber. It is just so cheap and easy (and it is harder to get a taxi because you can't just walk on the street and wave for one).

There is like one taxi serving all of Ames.

With CyRide offering free rides from Campustown on almost every night, I find it hard to believe that anyone will make much money driving Uber in Ames.

I don't think anybody is going to be able to support themselves full time being an Uber driver in Ames. But if somebody wants to make a few bucks for staying sober during gamedays they'll be able to do pretty well for themselves on a part time basis.

 

[CyDude16]

With CyRide offering free rides from Campustown on almost every night, I find it hard to believe that anyone will make much money driving Uber in Ames.

Cyride only goes to a certain time during the week, no drunk bus on Thursdays, and no drunk bus during the summer. Also there are more people than just students that would use this. Seeing as how most my friends that I stay with game weekends have moved farther away from campus town this will be a great addition. Fitz cab is unreliable, this will be welcomed as an alternate.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

I will be using uber. Taxi is usually 20 to $25 from the bar for me. That's from the center of town to the north west edge. If Uber can drive me for 15 ill be happy.

 

[erikbj]

In CR we have used uber quite a bit. The taxi services here were scary and expensive, only used once. Now even we go out to dinner / drinks with friends we will take uber there and home.

 

[SECyclone]

We were back in Ames on Saturday and just thinking why they hadn't started this yet. It will be awesome in Ames. Drivers might not make the money someone in DSM would, but they will stay busy at night.

 

[DeereClone]

A cheaper, better option for people to get home safely from bars and get around the town in general is a plus for everyone IMO.

Cab companies need to adjust or get out. This is market competition at it's finest, and it is a great thing for the consumer.

 

[3TrueFans]

Driving strange drunk people home from the bars in my own car sounds like a special kind of hell. But this is good for Ames for sure.

 

[JP4CY]

I'll be politically correct here: there is a decent percentage of Ames residents that are foreigners. I'm sure this will also help them out significantly.

 

[JSmoove]

In CR we have used uber quite a bit. The taxi services here were scary and expensive, only used once. Now even we go out to dinner / drinks with friends we will take uber there and home.

Holy crap that is the absolute truth. Three times in a row I got the same guy who would go on and on about how he had invented a perpetual motion machine but had not released it to the public yet.

 

[SoapyCy]

i lived in campustown for the sole purpose of not having to find a ride home after the bars - well worth the higher rents in my book.

the only time we used a cab was after i graduated and we stayed in the hotels out by the highway and it took a cab like 45 minutes to even show up. i say good for Ames.

 

[erikbj]

Driving strange drunk people home from the bars in my own car sounds like a special kind of hell. But this is good for Ames for sure.

I know a guy that does it on friday / saturday's when he is free, he has lots of good stories and lots of drunk ladies that invite him in after they strike out at the bar. If you are into cougars, might be a good way to get paid, just leave the meter running while inside :smile:

 

[DSMCy]

Driving strange drunk people home from the bars in my own car sounds like a special kind of hell. But this is good for Ames for sure.

This is why Uber is great. You know who the person is that's getting in your car (or at least their first name).
Uber has their credit card on file, so if something happens (puke), you submit a claim and Uber charges them. You don't have to fight with the person when you drop them off or try to get them to pay more.

Yes, that would still suck to clean up, but at least the driver doesn't have to chase someone down for an extra $200.