Cabbies Beware: These are the Top 10 Cities to Catch a Ride with Uber
|With today’s modern technology making our daily lives easier to navigate, traditional cabs are on the list of services unable to adapt with the times. Thanks to ride-sharing services such as Uber, the iconic yellow taxi familiar to many bustling cities is being ran off the road. With a touch of a button, you can have a clean, cheap, friendly ride ready to safely drive you to your destination. Without further ado, here are the top 10 cities where Uber is in the fast lane with no signs of letting up on the gas.
Nashville, TN
Music City is alive with rhythm and creative charm. Who wouldn’t want to experience such a place? Nashville was the first location to allow passengers to be picked up from the airport legally by an Uber driver. Big deal alert! Because unfortunately, this southern staple doesn’t make it simple for residents and visitors to get around by public transportation. So, long story short: Uber to the rescue! Note: The average ETA for an Uber pick-up here is four minutes and the average fare is under $10.
Houston, TX
Say howdy to Houston, a booming city that’s safe and easy to digitally hail yourself an Uber. Leave it to the Lone Star State to require drivers here to go through physical tests, drug tests, and have their cars inspected. As an Uber rider in H-Town, you can be sure you’re riding in a vehicle less than seven-years old by a driver who has no criminal history. Probably won’t find that outside these parts.
Washington, D.C.
In a recent study by Uber, the Capital City was rated as the best city to be an Uber driver in as well as one of the top cities to be an Uber rider in. It’s cheap to use Uber here, and fortunately, the government hasn’t been quick to hop on board, making more drivers available to we the people. Washington D.C. is also one of the few cities with Uber Family, which is an option that allows families to request a vehicle with a car seat. How convenient for future rulers of Murica.
Toronto, Canada
Aye, look who it is. It’s Tornoto, the Queen city of Canada. What a sight! Using Uber in Toronto is a terrific way to get around this dynamic city, especially since traditional cabs aren’t spotted too often here. Better yet, it’s not illegal to have Uber pick you up from the airport here, which is nice, like most Canadians. Also, bonus points for having cheaper prices than them yellow taxis that are actually available.
Sydney, Australia
Do you come from a land down under? Where women glow and men plunder? If you live in Sydney or plan on visiting, know that Uber is your answer for getting around without depressing your wallet. According to a study conducted by the ride-sharing program, in one year drivers gave over a million rides to riders in Sydney and the average wait time for pick-up was just four minutes. Luckily, there are no Uber horror stories about Sydney, but praise for the drivers and vehicles instead. As a visitor, be sure to strike up a conversation with your friendly driver for tips on the best things to do in the Harbor City, mate.
New York, NY
The Big Apple. The City that Never Sleeps. The Capital of the World. Yeah, that’s right. New York! As with many luxuries of the Empire State, it’s one of the most expensive places to use Uber — but it’s also one of the best, mainly because the amount of riders is so high. Here you can look forward to five-star rated drivers and topnotch vehicles to chauffer you around the grid. As if that’s not enough, you can also enjoy shortcuts down side streets and avoiding traffic (when possible). And, believe it or not, there are friendly locals here, and who better to ask about delicious restaurants and hot spots than your Uber driver? New York for the win.
San Francisco, CA
Ah, the savvy birthplace of Uber, how not surprising. Fog City is home to one of the highest amount of drivers, making catching a ride quick and effortless. And, whoops, the taxi business reportedly tanked 65% since Uber came struttin’ up and down these colorful hills, thanks to being less expensive. If you take a taxi here, you’ll be seen as an outcast, or maybe you’ll be the butt of a few jokes. Word to the wise: don’t do it. Hail Uber!
Boston, MA
In Beantown there’s no shortage of drivers to snatch you up. In fact, it appears that drivers here see each other as fierce competition. Nothin’ like a good ol’ fight between Bostonians. That aside, the city is seeing its share of reducing fares, and studies have shown that it’s cheaper to use Uber here than a cab. The gov’na is also in support of the ride-sharing service. And, rumor has it that if you’re an avid coupon clipper, you can dig up discounts for free rides around the Cradle of Liberty. Yay, let’s afford things!
Los Angeles, CA
Ubering in the City of Angels is cheaper and easier to use than luring in a taxi, and who doesn’t like cheap and easy? Nobody, probably. Well, it depends. Anyway, hitching a ride with Uber here has proven more efficient than using public transit, which is a pretty big deal. Los Angeles also offers UberEATS, where you can order in your favorite food the same as you request a ride. You just eat instead. The future is looking bright, ladies and gents.
Chicago, IL
If you’re looking to put Uber to use, there’s no better place to hitch a ride than the Windy City. With its varying climate, Chi-Town is a fantastic place to use the ride-sharing system — and because waiting in the swooshing gusts and pelting rain for a bus or cab doesn’t equal fun times. It helps that the local drivers know the ins and outs of this city, and better yet, UberEATS has made a home for itself here, offering lunch time with a promise of a 10-minute delivery. Deep dish pizzas for everybody!
Hi Nicole,
Great roundups. Maybe this post would also be useful not only as a caution for cabbies but also for uber drivers? As an uber driver, you would want to maximize your earnings by going for the busiest places and most population wherein you can take advantage to. New York City is one great place tp drive if you’re an uber driver.
Hey James,
Thanks for reading! I agree that this article can be beneficial to big-time Uber drivers, too — at least I hope it is. And New York City is a great place, period! ^_^