Google Uber partnership a serious threat to local taxi businesses

A week ago I arrived by Thalys in Paris and used Google Maps to find out how to get to my hotel by public transport. To my surprise, I saw Uber mentioned at the end of the list with the information that I can expect an Uber ride in 13 minutes, with the expected costs of 13-18 Euro. My travel time would be 36 minutes, 20 minutes less than by metro.

I still decided to take a metro, for just 1,8 Euro, which is relatively cheap in comparison with London’s metro.

Last Sunday I arrived at Heathrow Airport and used Google Maps to figure out how to get to my hotel at the airport by public transportation. Again at the end of the list Google Maps informs you that Uber can take you to the hotel for just 5 pounds arriving in four minutes. On my way back Google Maps informed me that Uber would pick me up in two minutes and I could get to the airport in 12 minutes for just 8 pounds. 

This is extremely appealing as the official taxi price at the hotel is 18 pounds and Uber can pick you up without practically any waiting time! Providing Uber information in Google Maps  requires the integration between Google Maps and Uber platforms.

How can local taxis compete with Uber in these circumstances?

Do local taxi companies have a chance to be listed on Google Maps even if they manage to digitise their business? Even if they are listed, can they offer competitive prices?

I am afraid that the answer to both questions is NO. It means that there is no bright future for local taxi companies facing joint competition from Google and Uber. This case is very interesting in the context of the EU Google antitrust case as it looks like in the digital platform era  The Winner Take It All 

iTaxi app helps to join New Year party on time

Yesterday we were preparing for a New Year celebration. Around 22:00 PM my daughter started calling all taxi companies in Warsaw but without result. It looked like the whole Warsaw was on the way. To my surprise iTaxi app, I am using every time when I need a taxi in Warsaw, showed a taxi just one minute away from our home. Ordering a taxi was a matter of just one click. In this way my daughter and her two friends became new customers of iTaxi as they were very happy to join their party on time.

Will iTaxi be able to face the competition from Uber? Uber started its operations in Warsaw last August and I hope that iTaxi will not only maintain, but also increase its market share and it will be a very good alternative for those willing to pay more in return for a better travel experience.

I have just became a registered user of Uber app and will try the Uber travel experience soon.