MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11)– War is hail.
In the battle to win the hearts and minds and wallets of New Yorkers, Uber is making inroads.
Uber has disrupted the monopoly of yellow taxi cabs here in New York City so much so that the price of a medallion cab license in New York City had reached a peak in spring of 2013 at over $1 million and now there’s been a 17 percent drop to $872,000 and yellow cab drivers are not happy.
“I am getting poor,” Mohammed Rahman, a yellow cab driver, told PIX 11. “I worry all the time,” the cabbie added.
Uber doesn’t spend any money on marketing. it’s all word-of-mouth and Uber rider Veronica Kozlova is spreading the word.
“The stereotype of yellow cab driver is so stressed out and drive crazy,” Kozlova said. “Uber is more chill and respectful.”
When you press a button on your phone, Uber arrives often in under five minutes.
Noor Mengle had been driving a yellow taxi for 16 years until last month when he made the switch to Uber.
While he may end up making the same or less, he says he’s much happier. With so much less stress, he can cut back on his blood pressure medicine.
“I may not make millions, but I feel better,” Noor said.
How do prices compare in the Uber versus yellow cab battle? It all depends on the type of car you order and the time of day you ride, but Uber advocates are everywhere.
John from Boston said yellow cabs have got to adjust to the times.
“They have to change and get apps,” he said.
The number of medallions was set in 1937 at 13,437 and hasn’t changed much since then.
