Last report, we told you about the Uber protests going on in Playa del Carmen. Protests still continue, at least in Playa del Carmen, but are more muted. Just yesterday (Sept 29th), there were more taxis and collectivos lining up to participate in a rolling blockade where they block one lane of freeway traffic.
Most taxis and collectivos still have their windows painted to protest Uber.
Other than the typical confrontations and fights that occur when Uber starts in a new region, it appears the protests did not do much. Uber is now up and running in Cancun, servicing all areas North of (and including) Puerto Morelos.
There are no immediate plans for southward expansion, but given the way Uber operates, it will likely be just a matter of time. A quick check of the Uber app shows there is at least one car hanging around Puerto Morelos.
At a quick glance someone could look at this situation and say that it is unfair for a foreign company to come in and upend the industry, but there is a lot more to the case.
Honestly and Fairness – First of all, as a gringo, I have yet to experience a cab ride in a well-cared for car with a nice driver who didn’t try to rip me off. My most recent rides in Cozumel were in cabs that had the seats; metal bars stabbing me in the leg because the seat was so worn. Then my return cab trip was 50% more than the initial trip, even though they covered the same distance. The cab driver just shrugged when I asked about this. For this reason alone, this contributor welcomes some outside competition that rates drivers based on reviews and provides a fair rate to all (regardless of the color of their skin). I am not saying all cabbies down here are bad, I am sure there are plenty of good ones, but in my experience they must be in the minority.
The jobs aren’t going away – Uber coming in doesn’t mean any jobs are going away. The need for drivers to ferry everyone around will be just the same as it was before (maybe even greater if the experience is better). Those drivers are going to be local Mexicans; they will not have to pay union dues, just a small cut to The protests are being pushed by the unions, of course, because with Uber the unions are irrelevant. The main difference is that to become a driver with Uber they will have to straighten up and stop any shady practices.
I don’t agree, with the statement that taxi drivers are ripping us off. We have never had this happen in fact the last on I took from TUlum to Akumal was VERY curteous and asked a real reasonable price, I paid him more cause he was a family man as he told us about it..and I felt he could use the extra.We also have taken one a time or two clear to Cancun from Akumal and had a good experience. Nothing tho against Uber driver’s!
Aileen, great to hear when people have good experiences. The statement was one of personal experience, which does not mean that all taxis are bad. But I do hear more bad stories than good, which is why your experiences are very refreshing. Thank you for your comment!