Uber is Coming to Columbus- But Will It Be Any Good?

It’s official. After years of speculation, Uber is finally coming to Columbus on September 21. But is it really going to be all it’s cracked up to be?

Uber is a “ride-sharing” service that runs off a smartphone app. When in need of a ride, a rider sets a pick up location and the app locates the nearest Uber driver. The driver comes to pick the person up and drives them to the desired destination . The passenger is debited automatically through the app, and drivers aren’t supposed to take tips. Uber then pays the driver based on distance and time traveled with a passenger in the vehicle. Uber deducts 20% of each fair, and demand for Uber at any given time determines how much the driver is paid. Each driver must pass a background check and their car may not be more than ten years old in order to drive (a stipulation that could disqualify many students).

This new service may be great for other cities, but the reality is that Columbus may just not be ready for Uber yet. Monica Murphy, a freshman biology major, said that “Most people in Columbus have access to cars, so they wouldn’t need to use Uber.” Nightlife is only popular on Fridays and Saturdays, and students can usually take the bus (for free) if they need to after a night out. As for those who are commuters from other cities or counties, Uber drivers may not be able to take them where they need to go. The driver may want to only stay within city limits, which wouldn’t do out of town commuters any good.

Before a rider climbs into a stranger’s car, they are making a choice about safety. While Uber drivers have to pass a background check and have a safe driving record , the passenger’s safety isn’t guaranteed, and Uber drivers do not have the same strict regulations that traditional taxi companies do. With Columbus being a college town, students may be tempted to rely on Uber as their ride home from a party. This can be a problem, as the service has been plagued in the past by people lurking on the app and pretending to be people’s requested Uber drivers. Drivers themselves are also taking a gamble when picking up strangers.

But the main concern is that Uber drivers may not find enough business to sustain itself in Columbus. Drivers really aren’t making a lot of money after Uber takes their 20 percent share of the week, taxes are taken out and gas is paid for. Large cities have hundreds of people who are always available to give rides; Columbus is not quite so lucky.