Uber's plan to get more people into fewer cars | Travis Kalanick

Uber didn't start out with grand ambitions to cut congestion and pollution. But as the company took off, co-founder Travis Kalanick wondered if there was a way to get people using Uber along the same routes to share rides, reducing costs and carbon footprint along the way. The result: uberPOOL, the company's carpooling service, which in its first eight months took 7.9 million miles off the roads and 1,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the air in Los Angeles. Now, Kalanick says carpooling could work for commuters in the suburbs, too. "With the technology in our pockets today, and a little smart regulation," he says, "we can turn every car into a shared car, and we can reclaim our cities starting today."
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[@themi6sportsnetwork171]

One of the best TED talks I've listened to. It's too bad Travis couldn't get out of his own way when it came to politics and treating people with respect.

[@AlexanderEmmanual]

Very excited for what the future holds.

[@mous19911]

Stfu

[@SaltVinegar2010]

Yeah 50% of planet earth being unemployed & probably killed off by the rich. Good times ahead.......

[@Mieowinkles]

+Highway Phantom Only unemployed if you lack any creative or social skills.

[@SaltVinegar2010]

Mieowinkles How did you work that one out?

[@Mieowinkles]

Highway Phantom Unless you believe in the next 50 years we'll see robots create companies, govern countries, and entertain, then there'll still be plenty of opportunities for humans.

[@topflightsecurity3245]

I'm just waiting for the day when no one owns a car and random cars come to pick us up and drop us off.

[@KarilSampson]

Felt like I was watching a commercial, filled with half truths and barely veiled empty fantastical aspirations. I expect more from TED.

[@DonkeyFrog]

How would you know the truth, did you hack Uber's statistics databases? idiot.

[@stevenlee7672]

I bought a new (used) car to drive for Uber in September '15 when they went live in Reno. The money wasn't great but I could get by with it. Tips were almost nonexistent, even in Reno, a city where tipping is very common. In their zeal to drive Lyft out of business they cut the already low rates by 30%. How would you like it if your employer cut your pay by 30% after only working 3 months. After that I couldn't even make a minimum wage, let alone cover the cost of the car. They sometimes had surge pricing but that is hit and miss. I found a regular job and will never drive for Uber again. The Uber bad taste in my mouth is thanks to Travis. If I ever need to use a rideshare again, I'll take LYFT! If Travis gets his by a bus, I'll just smile.

[@charbax]

+Steven Lee he says that they make sure that drivers make more money per hour of work, otherwise they bring the price back up. That's what he said. You want everyone in Reno to install the Uber app and they should all be crazy about ordering Uber rides all the time. If the city is new on Uber, there may be some adjusting and some initial marketing required to get the word out so everybody in Reno knows that Uber is there and that it's affordable.

[@albarleta2511]

Uber's plan to take over the world. All hail the ride-hail giant.

[@Smartphonekanalen]

Uber can solve problems with the technology and economy. But in the end it's psychology problems. Some people don't want to share car with a neighbour or a stranger. It will take time to change habits. Especially here in the Nordic countries where people barely trust a regular taxi. I'm not used to these kinds of risks, neither my parents or friends.

[@candacelin4115]

+Daniel Minken I agree totally. imagine sharing a ride with some freak and you get dropped off 1st. now they know where you live. ugh

[@moxiousch]

+Candace Lin Oh wow, true. As a woman, you just kinda have to look out for things like that. Creepers gonna creep. Plus, it's a matter of privacy...

[@AlysN1dr]

+Daniel Minken Unfortunately you have a generation who is totally on board. My son, 15 years old regularly uses Uber pool. It costs less than a taxi and all his friends do it. Me? as a mom is freaking out. Cabs are more expensive but at least in Toronto, they are safe. When I call for a cab one arrives with its number in full view, the people at the cab company know who is driving that cab, etc. I'd feel a heck of a lot safer knowing my son was in a cab rather than an Uber with a car full of strangers. But... what mom says doesn't matter. Just another thing I have to worry about in this rapidly changing world.

[@uncleharry5758]

+Alys N1dr Are you aware it is illegal for children under 18 to use UBER?

[@AlysN1dr]

UncleHarry No. So how come the drivers pick him and his pals up? maybe he has a fake ID? Thats just great. Thanks.

[@joan98610]

Here in Spain Uber is forbidden.

[@giovannibonvento]

Here in Spain there's something better: bla bla car. Far better than Uber!

[@joan98610]

+Ann Tauz Yes, taxis in Spain are expensive and now with the crisis even more. I have never had a situarion where the driver was going in circles, but I suppose that it's because I know the city. The reason why they forbid Uber is because it's "unfair competition" because Uber drivers don't have to pay the same taxes and don't own a license or something like that, I'm not quite sure.

[@joan98610]

+Ann Tauz I don't kow why they just didn't give them a license, but maybe it's related with EU policies. However, people are using taxis less and now buses, the underground, tram and bikes are most people's option (and a better one for our environment, in my opinion).

[@joan98610]

+Ann Tauz Some news: Uber is now back, but it will only be used in Madrid, the capital (for now)

[@mikephilips6905]

That’s because one of Uber’s competitors Cabify is based in Spain

[@SangoProductions213]

Considering the things I've heard about uber...I'm rather unconvinced.

[@demalih]

The idea is good, but slapping a brand to a talk while there are other competitions is making this looks like a pay-to-talk

[@Zgembo121]

+demalih next ted episode: nike solving the problem of foot blisters

[@candacelin4115]

+Zgembo121 haha.. and - smirnoff vodka, solving the problem of the single and dateless

[@iceking8875]

+demalih This is basicly an advertisement for Uber wich at the same time argues for more profit for Uber. And all this is disguised as a enviromental argument, so typical for american companys.

[@AnarchistMetalhead]

+Ice King and your problem with them profiting off making people"s lives better is what?

[@ellabun]

"Hey guys, we at COMPANYNAME cured cancer. It's now FDA approved and available for purchase at a very affordable fee!" "OMFG STFU WHAT A 'PAY-TO-TALK' FFS AMERICAN COMPANYS ADVERTISING OMG GO AWAY"

[@theotherdave2005]

What an abysmal talk. And what an absurd premise. Uber, at its core, is a web-enabled gypsy cab. Full stop.

[@TheMan83554]

Meanwhile, Uber was blocked in PEI because the outdated taxi stands were worried that they'd be driven (pun intended) out of business.

[@edtordo7512]

In Germany as well...sucks...

[@TheMan83554]

Edward Überfluss In another comment I learned that Uber is trying REALLY REALLY hard to dodge taxes outside the US. The idea is good, Uber is the first iteration. Here's hoping things improve later on.

[@edtordo7512]

+TheMan83554 👍

[@Buckets41369]

+TheMan83554 Why don't they stop whining get slap an Uber sticker on the side of their taxi?

[@TheMan83554]

***** The drivers don't care, their employers do. The Taxi companies don't want Uber moving in. I see why they do, Uber is clearly better than a Taxi, in both time and cost. Therefore, Taxi companies don't want Uber anywhere hear them if they can help it.

[@mirandasi8302]

Monthly expenses Own car Car payment: $500 Parking: $150 (at work) Gas:$300 Insurance: $150 Maintenance: $150 Total: $1250. Same trips with uber: $750 Saves me $500 per month. That $6000 saved annually.

[@kerrykilgour]

Awesome talk, history, info, questions & answers.Thanks TED!

[@johnli1391]

proud to be a biker.

[@SteinErikDahle]

Not forgetting to tell EVERYBODY about it...

[@Buckets41369]

+JOHN LI Bikers are the original vegan.

[@miroslavhoudek7085]

+Tom Forming biker vegangs.

[@AngelValdovinos]

+JOHN LI you ride a cervelo?

[@billykobilca6321]

JOHN LI YES LAD !!!!

[@aryamangoel5483]

OMG TRAVIS KALANICK GAVE A TED TALK!!

[@suelee4137]

The problem with public transportation isn't the last mile problem (as he claimed). In New York almost everyone lives a short walk from a bus. The problem is funding because the auto industry has lobbied against public transportation for decades. These guys came out with the term "jay walker" to make fun of pedestrians, kicking people off the streets. Uber needs to be regulated like taxi cabs where drivers (and companies) can be fined when citizens prove they are breaking the rules. Otherwise they are the same as all the other polluting traffic.

[@ThePrikoki]

+Sue Lee would you really want some eejit thinking it is ok to just walk on the street? Pedestrians have sidewalks, drivers have streets ( and we payed road tax to have them ).

[@dmrc43]

+Toxq Jam pedestrians pay the same road tax. you pay for the death and destruction that cars cause.

[@ThePrikoki]

That would be insurance. And I pay that as well. Get your facts straight. Moreover, as a pedestrian I know better than to expect cars to avoid me if I jaywalk.

[@koneko3774]

That's exactly what jeepneys are in the Philippines ☺️

[@TheUnboxingsUnreal]

Does anybody know which font has been used in the presentation?

[@rachelsjmoon]

finally a real Ted Talk that talks about actual problems and not usless "problems" like how we need gender neutral restrooms

[@tubbyrainbow111]

preach it man

[@dejgreen4843]

Lol so because gender neutral problems doesn't apply to you it isn't considered an actual problem? Tell that to the million of people uncomfortable with themselves.

[@adamfrisk956]

+Rachel Moon Amen!

[@adamfrisk956]

+Justin Ko Entitled.

[@burritocandy]

+Dej Green Do you get it now? Just because there are millions of OCD people out there who would love it if restroom toilet paper were NOT an odd number in roll length, or that the soap in those restrooms were NOT orange in color because those things make them uncomfortable, doesn't mean we have 100 different lengths of TP or 100 different colored soaps. It's ridiculous. It's overkill. Do you get it? We set our standards based on something reasonable and that satisfies the majority. It would be impossible to satisfy every little uncomfortable snowflake. Because it's impractical and not realistic.

[@melvinfoo69]

I'm calling bullshit on the rising earnings point he mentioned. Yes earnings have increased, but actual profits for drivers have decreased while profits for uber have increased. This is because with lower rates, drivers earn less profits per unit distance while for uber always takes a constant percentage cut of the transaction. In other words, the lower rates are coming from the driver's share of the earnings.

[@Arthur-Silva]

Nailed it! I worked as a driver in LA and OC, most of the drivers here are not making money, we make less than minimum wage

[@Pilbaran00b]

I love the way this guy speaks about change and technological advancement. I think it is extremely important that people don't resist it, but rather embrace the future, for advances are crucial.

[@xbotraid]

Does someone know which font he used in his presentation?

[@imrannazir6931]

Did Uber have to pay to make this 20 minute add as long as they dressed it up as a 'talk'

[@SupasChef]

I'm from Russia, Rostov-Don(middle City 1.3MH), and we have due to traffic jams almost collapsed bridge, which is easily transferred tanks. The reason for the collapse of the early - a lot of standart cars(very popular sedan or 4-door hatchback) on it. The calculator says that the tanks weigh a total of about 30 MT, while the cars spend the day around 70 MT/day in the amount of weight that resulted in over 5 years at the conclusion of the bridge out of service for 10 years before the put. And yes, I understand that the translator may be difficult to translate, and that the speaker's name does not inspire confidence, but his words were true - many cars = a pointless waste. Date Open Bridge 1965, Date EoL 2015 stigmat USSR, Date a Crash 2007, the date of the end of the economic crisis in RF(Russia) - 2001.

[@emil246]

it's called using the bus -.-

[@davisa.j4518]

+emil guillen Buses aren't point to point.

[@fmartin59]

Do you live in America? It's not practical to have bus systems everywhere.

[@HShango]

in london we have a huge congest issue in central london, but with more folks take on cycling, getting on to transport abit more and a decrease on usage of cars, things will improve.

[@othetop]

does any one know how he made the slides like this software and how he made the small videos ?!

[@remyllebeau77]

The way Uber treats its drivers is deplorable. I've never even been a rideshare driver but I'm disgusted by Uber as a company. Drivers used to make over a $1.00 per mile as I understand it, but now they are supposed to make a decent living off of much less (and falling)? There is no honor or loyalty with Uber, drivers are a dime a dozen to them and they don't even care about flooding the market with too many drivers.

[@Buckets41369]

+Remy Lebeau Either demand will increase to start pushing up prices or drivers will get tired of waiting and find other employers, it's simple market forces and the only labour market regulation needed is a minimum wage.

[@Arthur-Silva]

Uber is an utter lie, drivers are struggling, they work long hours and make less than minimum wage.

[@Buckets41369]

That's why I said they need to be regulated to have a minimum wage. And although it's not great that people are struggling economically, if it really bothers them, they should seek other work. But from what I hear from drivers, all they do is complain about uber and still drive for them.

[@remyllebeau77]

+Tom "it's simple market forces" What other company do you know that can "hire" an unlimited amount of employees without caring that those employees actually have to compete with each other for hours (wages). And if they don't sit available in their car with the app on (worse than being on call), they can't compete at all. How is demand supposed to increase prices when there isn't enough work to go around in the first place? And if this video is correct, there could be limits set by the government to stop rates from going higher.

[@Buckets41369]

+Remy Lebeau Uber aren't a taxi company, they aren't hiring people, they're simply licensing them to call themselves an "Uber driver" and giving them access to the platform which connects them with passengers. The problem is that with very low barriers to entry creating a perfectly competitive market it is impossible for a driver to make supernormal profits. Traditional taxi companies have a little more monopoly power in their local area which allows them to make profits that Uber drivers will never be able to achieve. I retract my point that increasing demand will push up prices because this effect will only be temporary as the lure of money will attract more people to become drivers thus sharing out the excess money and stabilising the price. So basically, in the long run, drivers can only make enough money to survive with occasional short run profits.

[@dreamworld6]

Wonderful! That would create more friendly neighbourhood!!! You will get to meet and be friended with lots of people. Fantastic! we need that in London too!

[@Zoot101]

This was just a PR pitch. A lousy talk.

[@baconbutterburger]

+Zoot101 Interesting how it took place in a city that doesn't currently allow Uber as well... I think the tech behind all this is great, but again and again the company shows how sketchy it is.

[@Daedhart]

"Yes, Im talking about cell phones and not driver-less cars." Nope

Long live Uber! It was about damn time the taxi monopy has ended!

[@LeonardGreenpaw]

Then maybe people can get special uber cars, that will be longer than normal cars to have more seats, and then start following a predictable schedule so that people can ride efficiently.... Then we can paint them yellow.... and call them a bus Oh right people hate busses :D

[@rantsinpatwa]

+Leonard Greenpaw Exactly

[@noxis93]

+Leonard Greenpaw Apart from the fact that this is indeed a funny comment, it could never happen. Uber pool works because it provides the best balance between practicality and comfortability. Each place you add to a vehicle lowers comfort and raises practicality, which means that less people are inclined to use it and we'd go back to the current state of having people drive their own car at work. Besides that, a carpool works because even if you have no passengers, you're paying only what you would pay without doing a carpool, doing it with a bus would result in huge costs from operating it without a profit margin.

[@LeonardGreenpaw]

noxis93 Mini bus then

[@zararoyce319]

Leonard Greenpaw exactly that's the main point, yes it can work for in theory for Sweet but he's not taking into account the cultural and behavioral aspects that at least us in the United States Fisher we don't want to share a ride with other people that's not what we're paying for we don't want to hang tight while other people are getting picked up and dropped off, we want to be able to relax put our drink in the cupholder put a bag on the other side of the seet and chill, and we definitely don't want any of this express pool which has pick up and drop off spots that they have actually launched, the only reason why people are taking over full at all is because they keep raising the UberX rate so that most people can't afford to take it on a regular basis but there's a lot of interpersonal conflict that arises and we don't like it Ironically him being from Los Angeles I would think that he would understand this more because this culture is especially strong here in LA that we really want just to be picked up and dropped off exactly where we want to go when we want to go and we definitely don't want to be bothered by having to sit with other people otherwise would save a lot of money and take a bus, I think it must be something personal with him in his mind he just happens to be someone who finds this idea fun maybe he did share a ride when he was a student or something like that to where cents from a young age he's just always like this communal idea of carpooling and it's fun for him but it is not fun for the average American especially somebody in LA

[@NoName-tk5oi]

Can help me to answer this few question? 1. How will the "UBER" affected by external factors? 2. What salient opportunities exist in UBER's external environment? How they fir in the opportunity? Highly Appreciate.

[@triplebbb291]

people who change the world will face resistance. haters gonna hate.

[@lucah1824]

Ben Beacham Cause some of them deserve it. Some people want to change the world for the worse.

[@abhd6363]

basically , TAXIS.

[@Buckets41369]

+Arcade G4mez But by using a smartphone to input the route, you can pool rides to make sharing easier.

[@dreamworld6]

Cheaper and saving you kore money.

[@abhd6363]

I know but I meant him mentioning every service near uber and even everyday services with different names and complicated aspects also default uber

[@andrewjknott]

I watch TED for deep insights into topics... not for this Uber sales pitch.

[@fmartin59]

Explain why it's a sales pitch.

[@keira_churchill]

Or we could use shared vehicles known as buses.

[@rantsinpatwa]

+Keira Churchill exactly

[@auckie]

+Keira Churchill That's why he's a billionaire and your not.

[@keira_churchill]

Arno Cuevas I have legs to take me the last few steps from where the bus/train drops me off. Maybe I'm lucky in that regard.

[@keira_churchill]

Arno Cuevas It's lucky we invented timekeeping devices then. Also, the buses where I am have their own lane so they can zip past the "drivers" who are sitting around going nowhere like a bunch of losers.

[@lostintime8651]

ya a billionair that needs notes to talk about his company. his value is fake.

[@AwesomeArgonanth]

Instead of a private company this should be what public transportation is.

[@niyomwungerijonathan4748]

I'm very proud and very interested to learn this course.

[@ellabun]

Whenever you ship a redesign of your product your palms will be sweaty, Travis. Knees weak, arms heavy... Mom's spaghetti...

[@Yarshy.]

I've never Ubered.

[@stantc77]

use my n promo get free ride stanleyc616ue

[@billykobilca6321]

Yusuf I flat out REFUSE to uber of lyft

[@OrionSchmidt]

This is a low point for TED. 20 minute Uber commercial and he can't even remember his own company's talking points without notes

[@Buckets41369]

+Orion Schmidt I don't think it should be an issue whether speakers use note or not if its helping them deliver a more concise and engaging speech. And as for the commercial aspect I think you're being too cynical, yes they're getting to publicise their name, but after all, it is still a good idea... worth spreading?

[@FieryPheanix]

This is more then an ad. This guy is an entrepreneur with a great idea

[@ASMRGRATITUDE]

I've been watching Ted Talks off and on for the last seven years and I've never seen someone use notes.

[@Buckets41369]

+ASMR Gratitude But how many more interesting people would be able to give talks if using notes wasn't so frowned upon? Even having talks without an audience so more shy people can share their ideas.

[@iceking8875]

+Orion Schmidt This is basicly an advertisement for Uber wich at the same time argues for more profit for Uber. And all this is disguised as a enviromental argument, so typical for american companys.

[@melissapeterson1423]

I might go through lyft, because uber won't let my mini be used since it has two doors >.>

[@mestido]

Just improve a public transportation, uber is not a solution, not many people would want to share their cars with strangers.

[@sonic763]

Brainwashed much? I would love to live in a world with minimal traffic, door to door transportation, for less than normal car ownership and not have to put up with the many flaws and issues relating to public transit.

[@LucasSerafimBr]

+mestido In Brazil, this is a old and common practice between people who live nearby or "in the way", to share or even make a rotation of cars to reduce gasoline/transportation costs. More people in the car, less each one pays to the driver every month, everyone wins. Also, not all work in the same place, one knows other to join the group, this stranger will be a stranger only the first time :)

[@jf7333]

+mestido statistically, you`re wrong

[@LovingTinha]

+mestido look up Venus Project and Jacque Fresco they have the real future design for humanity, but the corrupt world we live in today do not want the best for its people, they want the best for themselves.

[@billykobilca6321]

mestido yup...THAT is the future cars will not be a city thing. #bikelife

[@mdrashed6593]

Hi...I am a Uber Partner in Qatar... For UberX. The uber fees they cut here 25% of our earning boss

[@MrGuruAskew]

It looks like the Jitney felt the Bern.

[@Pinkpenguinsausage]

His voice/accent sounds eerily similar to that of Ted Cruz

[@lerrjlee9347]

So is Uberpool the Deadpool sequel?

[@aob505]

Love history, how did I not know about the Jitney? Wow.

[@kamalb]

A 2016 TED video and no Full HD!?

[@paullemus3630]

What I like about this is that it isn't trying to advertise their company, but they're showing that they're solving an actual problem.

[@SteinErikDahle]

Good point!

[@Feedfront]

so I drove Uber for one month, the average salary after uber deduction is like $17-19, after taking in gas and maintenance costs, its around $12-14, so not so much better than minimum wage of $11.5 in my city (Toronto). maybe if you drive a prius and only work in surge hours t will be ok, but otherwise wouldn't recommend it. especially after their price cut, sometimes I cant even make that amount. good luck to travis and his so called "lower rates leads to higher earnings". If there is one point where majority of ppl ditch their cars for uber, that might happen. but in the short term it just exploits the driver really badly.

[@havek23]

Really wish I could get them when I travel to Vegas for business. In San Francisco they're so cheap and there within 30 seconds of hailing them!

[@mehrshadvr4]

it's bs that he said he dropped price and they made more money. a car cost more as you drive it more so you'll probably make some money body are spending more on gas maintenance and such it's like working more hours and getting paid less per hour. he probably look at it in his perspective. here is the fact more Uber drivers means less customer per Uber driver and that means less money per day. that's why taxis are licensed so not everyone and their mother buy a piece of crap car and give ride to people. Plus this is Public Safety is concern as well. he also BS that he said cheapest price make people take it more people only take rights when they need to and not for once just to get a ride.

[@magicmike1122]

To cut pollution, I think the best solution are electric vehicles.

[@ethanrichards8434]

Look at what it takes to mine the metals for ev batteries. Lol thats even more harmful for the earth than motors

[@mikgorblack]

Jitney still operates in south Jersey.

[@tonysaavedra2942]

Hey travis, how's that "fleece operator" business model working out?

[@xerxesunderwood1975]

Unfortunately, Uberpool has become an EPIC FAIL.

[@divineuwonkunda5478]

Can someone tell me where this took place please?

[@adityagupta97]

He didn't give the answer for the last question. He just turned the main question away, 'what will u say to the million+ drivers around the world when self-driving cars come into action?' it is really an important question!

[@Nardypants]

In my mind, this is not a great talk, but throwing a red herring in the debate. The main point is political: how the company's profits is hurt by regulations. Regulations have nothing to do with reducing the number of cars on the road, they are there to protect the public's interest, and you can actually do both things without Uber's business model.

[@TheMan83554]

+Nardypants The whole Jitney thing was showing how the regulation was to PROTECT the trams profits by forcing the Jitney out of the market. Uber appears to be a really good possibility, and in my area at least, the Taxi system called for them to get shut out of the market citing lack of oversight. Taxies that charged me 15 bucks to take me a half hour leisurely walk when I couldn't afford the time. Those early regulations had nothing to do with public interest, and everything to do with protecting an existing companies market share.

[@Nardypants]

I think you don't understand the problem that's faced by cities outside of the USA, or even California. The Jitney analogy is flawed in that Jitneys were still locally owned and participated in the local economy. Uber fights really hard not to pay any foreign taxes, and what do you think happens when a company takes profits out of a country without reinvesting it in the local market (like cab companies do from their entire structure being local)? The entire local economy suffers. If Uber paid their fair share of taxes, thus alleviating the loss of money circulating in the local economy, it wouldn't be much of an issue. But they decided not to play nice and now governments have to strong arm them into not siphoning profits back to the USA. Saying Uber works like Jitneys is dishonest, frankly.

[@TheMan83554]

Nardypants That is a different issue. If Uber is trying to syphon income out of the country it is a huge problem. I hadn't considered the company base before. Once again, things are better in theory than practice. I'll have to poke at it a bit more. Thank you for the correction.

[@neilufe]

I hope he lowers his commision rate, cause the factor is its a 5hr dollar minimum job wage. 25 comission fee, fare drop recently and drivers get paid the same which is unfair cause you take less home. Cancellation fee, uber takes about 50% instead of 25% as advertised. You have to take an account of the wear, miles which depreciates your car, gas, insurance, snacks, car maintenance and repairs. You also have to put money aside from your earning to pay your taxes.

[@mmmarvel]

But I don't WANT to have a shared car.

[@ropersix]

It might work if everyone learned proper hygiene. There's nothing worse than carpooling early in the morning with someone who doesn't bathe regularly, wears too much perfume/cologne, smokes, etc. Been there, done that. It's a horrible way to start the day.

[@evilperson160]

More like Uber's plan to get fewer employees into fewer pay checks :/

[@Buckets41369]

+「Evil」 That's called efficiency, son. Without it we would all be living a very primitive existence.

[@Buckets41369]

What do you want me to say to that?

[@Buckets41369]

chromanin Uber is largely monopolistic but there is no evidence they are abusing their powers. The problem of driver's having such a low income is because the platform which Uber operates is perfectly competitive so it is much harder to charge exorbitantly like traditional taxixab operators have been doing for years. The whole premise of your point is flawed. And economics of Uber has nothing to do with a conspiracy that the gov't is inflating the currency "for themselves". By the way, who exactly is "themselves"? Another final point to make is that it's no secret that gov'ts create inflation, it promotes trade and has a wealth effect which benefits everybody in the economy. It's very sad that instead of being critical of your leaders in a realistic way, many people fall for the silly theories that 'the man' is out to get you.

[@chromanin]

***** I didn't say they were, I was arguing for their freedom to run the business as they see fit and pointing out that it is gov. at odds with competition and consumer choice. How is Uber monopolistic when their success comes from competing with taxis? Unless they become the new taxi with some restrictive license from government, they will have to compete... Talk about failed premise. Money printing affects everyone, the whole economy, Uber included. It's not a conspiracy, governments and central banks freely admit to this practice. 'Themselves' is obviously the various powerful institutions making these decisions. Inflation does not appear to be helping us, so why do you think they do this? Promotes trade, wealth effect? For what a year or two? An average joe can't afford a house anymore. Productivity is in decline. Middle class destroyed. Do you ever wonder why a sum of money from say 50 years ago has to be significantly multiplied to achieve the same purchasing power in today's dollars? No probably not. Sorry to have triggered you.

[@Buckets41369]

They have a market share of 45%, more than double that is required to be considered a monopoly in legal terms. Going from "themselves" to "various powerful institutions" is not clarifying, you're just highlighting how easy it is for somebody to believe in and concept without evidence or example. The purchasing power of a given amount of money has decreased, in fact it supposed to decrease by about 2% every year like it does in every other economy in the world because if not the economy would stagnate and we'd all be in a much stickier situation than the '08 financial crisis. You seem to have a very basic understanding of economics and that's okay, you can still learn but first you have to stop arguing with people on the internet about things that are way out of your depth. I'm not saying you're stupid, it's just that your arguments are at best wrong, and at worst bizarrely contradictory, try to take a little more time reading and thinking before spewing your reaction on the internet.

[@iCANT_BELIEVE_YOU_SAID_THAT]

Never drove for Ub$r. I heard they give their drivers peanuts as payment.

[@SirDominus13]

So, the Jitney was a Taxi, not an Uber. This video makes a pretty good point for a better public transportation. For a better taxi service. Uber is not a car-sharing company, it's an uregulated Taxi-company. This in no way makes a point for Uber. He even says that in some cases, the low prices incite people to take an Uber in times they wouldn't normaly have, so that's even more cars on the roads...

[@wormswithteeth]

My city recently acquired Uber. I don't think we have any drivers here yet...

[@uweraclotilde9373]

Good advice

[@zararoyce319]

The idea of UberPool may eventually become normative in certain markets such as Asia and other places fish but people fail to recognize that most people in America we want UberX because we do not particularly like the idea of sharing a car for us with strangers we want to be comfortable we want to build a spread out put our drink in the cupholder and chill and we do not want to be inconvenienced for five picking up and dropping off other people that's what we're paying for and this UberPool just leads to huge interpersonal conflicts between drivers and passengers as well as riders with other riders and it may work for some but most people want a private car

[@westswagger]

uber pool just manipulates it's drivers and their car. they do the same trip costing $5 but instead of one person they take 2. It's big downgrade for drivers and their time and efforts.

[@touaregbebe]

true

[@touaregbebe]

true

[@touaregbebe]

true

[@figa5567]

+westswagger yeah... so? My taxi driver charges me the same whether I am alone or with 3 more friends. Why should that be a problem? His costs are the same, both in time and effort, as well as monetary resource usage (read: gasoline and car repair), except for marginal differences. So why should they charge more?

[@figa5567]

***** they charge from start point to end point, imbecile.

[@ekmad]

Uber is great, can't believe people want to ban it

[@Jujubes666]

Did they forget about taxis

[@saketmehrotra8599]

If a math professor cannot solve hard problems, that's a sad math professor.

[@Ayan44]

i hate uber's surge prices and toll taxes

[@thanksfortrumpcnnmsnbcandh8771]

Ayan44 so the driver should pay for your tolls?

[@jaencarlo1227]

Less regulation is the answer, let the obsolete taxi industry be gone for good.

[@WayneJohnsonZastil]

Is this guy from LA I really did not know? When did he say it?

[@gregboonie1557]

was a great idea but realiatically drivers waste more money instead of making it

[@TJWasiuk]

Uber and Lyft have lost a massive amount of drivers in my area.

[@erumshakil88]

Uber in Pakistan needs so much work

[@ccfishing96]

Can someone who has watched the whole thing please give me a summary. Doing an assessment task.....

[@Jelhelly]

WOW!! An advert for Uber, rather uncunningly disguised as a Ted Talk.

[@SirDominus13]

+Jelhelly And not even a good one!

[@demalih]

+Jelhelly right, TED Talks should do away with brands if possible, unless it's a non-profit brand

[@fmartin59]

How was this an ad? He's stating facts.

[@mak52580]

As an Uber driver, Uber Pool sucks. Many drivers often blatantly ignore Uber Pool requests. Despite what Uber tells you, Pool shorts drivers on fares. For the ones responsible for picking you up, the juice just ain't worth the squeeze. I'm sure he didn't tell you that though.

[@AmyDentata]

Imagine if there was a big car that could fit tons people inside of it. We could call it... a bus! But we need to fund this enterprise. If only there was a way we could crowdfund public services through the public that uses them. We could call them... taxes!

[@MrJoshaso]

Mexico have taxi drivers with up to 5 trips at once. Great idea Uber.

[@rosebold4301]

wow, respect

[@RedMei126]

Really disappointed in this TED talk.

[@nycdriversunite]

You drop the price and the driver makes more money is a total bullshit!! I'm a NYC driver.

[@tirucochi]

He is lying. When you down load the driver app tells you Uber is an app.You down loading it at your own risk. We don't have insurance to cover you. Driver has to pay Data charge for his phone use.His car will be use less in 3 years. How in the world an app guy can talk about transportation problem

[@49fiori]

Most people in the world want to make more money to buy their dream car. Now Uber wants to put strangers into your dream car? Also, I drive car to avoid masses, I like to sit alone in the car, yes it is inefficient, but I want to be alone. If I want people I will take a bus. Just shows you what unimaginative mind Travis has.

[@fakewatchbuyer3113]

7:35 LOL... get to a million ?? did he ever heard about the Gaussian function ???

[@veganchaatparty]

Super Superb!! Super Superb!! Super Superb!! Thanks.

[@skyearthocean5815]

Lot's of controversy about Uber, but if they're taking that many cars off the road with pooling I'm all for it. The environmental advantages outweigh the negatives.

[@thanksfortrumpcnnmsnbcandh8771]

SkyEarthOcean very naive if you believe that

[@kevinambrocio6825]

I use Uber for work and spend $200 a month to oppose to car Payments and insurance gas 900 month

[@evanpan23]

A good company charging drivers 25% of their hard income!

[@hlboerr]

wouldnt you pay for people to find you online? try being a taxi, youll keep a 100 percent

[@rigwarlbb]

Without regulation? What? You can do that?

[@SacrumImperiumRomanum]

Starts by telling us how regulation has ruined previous efforts; ends by calling for 'smart' regulation. Pretty much sums up how 'smart' TED speakers are nowadays. Just when I thought this was going to be pro-free markets, I get berned.

[@HesteBremse]

Just found out recently that UBER is under the umbrella from Goldman Sachs - Important to keep in mind as the wages are dropping for Taxi drivers around the world.