Uber: Boon or curse

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Uber has changed a lot of lives. It's brought in convenience, affordability, familiarity and feeling of safety in a new country, and a lot more to all of us. But then its not all positives for it, which you might already know from articles that have been coming in the media for quite some time now.

Recently, I rode in an Uber which was being driven by someone who owned his own cab company earlier! He was an immigrant in London and had built a successful business for years. And then Uber killed it! After Uber, there are only two cab options left for commuters in London. Either the black cabs, or Ubers. And so the mini-cabs which used to provide conveninence and affordability are no more. The opportunity for small-time businesses that it provided to many is not there anymore.

As per the driver, Uber currently offers the cheapest prices which are constantly falling. And this cut is always taken from the driver's share, never from Uber's. And once the small players are wiped out, Uber will be free to raise prices as it wishes.

I don't yet know where I stand on this. Is Uber evil? Clearly not - it had a business model which provides benefits to the customer, and therefore it is working. So nothing wrong there. Its just a classic case of the big fish eating the small fish, the same is true for all multi-national chains eating up the small local stores.

There is no right or wrong here. But can't help feeling for the small fish. And that's the way of the world, isn't it?


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