Uber
Now I know Uber isn’t perfect. Heck, the drivers have caused quite a few problems to local residents near where I live now close to Stansted. But the thing is, I don’t have to think back too far to remember the number of times I’ve been stranded in the middle of Central London.
Why was I stranded? Well, it was past midnight so the Tube had stopped for the night and me, standing at 6ft 1 and 110kg, I had a look that most black cab drivers have told me would avoid picking up. It’s happened to some of my other friends too. Whether it was because they were bigger than average or were stereotyped as being ‘ghetto’ trash.
Black cab drivers talk about fairness, but do they realise for years they’ve been discriminating on who they pick up as a fare? Sure, if I was drunk. Stumbling around, yelling out violent curses towards strangers I could understand the drivers attitudes. But for years, all I wanted was to get home to my wife and kids. Instead I’d have to give up trying to hail a cab and make the long journey home navigating a series of slow night buses.
As soon as Uber came on the scene it removed the uncertainty and fear I’d experienced in the past. Suddenly it all became fair and straightforward and with less fear of the driver deciding to detour around the M25 “as a short cut”.
Yes, Uber isn’t perfect. But for me, it made things better so that I’m there in the morning when my family wake up.