All Things Travel: Uber The Smarter Choice In Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - Uber is easier.
That pretty much sums up getting a car and a local driver when you want it in Boston.
I was introduced to the service a couple of weeks ago and last week I had a chance to put it to the test on a trip downtown to go to an evening theater performance.
My wife and I went to the show in a Metro Taxi and came home in a Uber that we called to the theater with a smart phone.
Uber won out on every area of speed, vehicle and price. You don't hear much about the Uber slogan, but it makes the point: "Everyone's Private Driver."
I would add the word "available."
We started the two-mile trip by walking from our downtown condo to Huntington Avenue to hail a cab.
It arrived in a couple of minutes, but from a distance you could not see whether it was occupied because there was no light on at the top of the taxi to tell potential riders it was for hire. The Toyota cab was clean, as are most taxis in Boston now.
Trying to get in the cab proved difficult because of the partition between driver and passenger leaving little leg room. You also could not hear the driver acknowledge the address we gave him.
A seat back video also played loudly in the back seat.
The fare for about two miles was $10 with tip.
After the show, we called for Uber to pick us up on Tremont Street. We were told a driver would be there "in two minutes."
He actually showed up in less than a minute and he knew my name.
The car was also a Toyota, but it was an Avalon hybrid, one of their high-end models that good city mileage on gas.
There was no partition and much more room in a much better vehicle. And there was no loud, obnoxious video playing.
The driver has been working for Uber for about 10 months. He was friendly and knew his way around Boston. He had us home in about five minutes.
The price with tip was $6.15 and you do not pay with cash. Uber already has your credit card on file.
That is one of the amazing things about Uber in today's shared economy. You sign up and never talk with a live voice. It is all done over your phone. No wonder there are reported to be more than 10,000 Uber drivers in greater Boston.
There may be one major drawback.
In peak periods, there may be a surcharge added to your ride.
A relative of mine was going to Logan Airport on Saturday afternoon to catch a flight. I suggested the Logan Back Bay Express, a five-minute walk from our condo.
"I'll take Uber; there are a lot of cars around," he said.
Bob Weiss reports on business travel on Mondays at 5:55 a.m. on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
