[nagdu] OT: Huber

[Michael Hingson]

Hi Chaim and others,

Good and relevant questions. See below for my answers. I hope they help
clarify mysteries. 


Best,


Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chaim B. Segal
via nagdu
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 12:19 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Chaim B. Segal
Subject: [nagdu] OT: Huber

 Hi All:

This question is not guide dog related per say, but I want to make a comment
regarding something Marion said.

My question is, do you have to be using a smart phone to use Huber? When I
have tried to research a local Dayton, Ohio phone number for them, I cannot
find it anywhere. I have been wanting to try them out, however after what
Marion said a while back, I'm wondering about their legality in the first
place.
[Michael Hingson] First, Uber runs from apps on iOS and Droid phones. I
don't know about Windows phones, but probably them as well.

The company calls itself a "software company" and not a transportation
company as such. It has used this argument to attempt to circumvent the ADA
and normal taxi requirements around the country. Uber says all it does is to
facilitate contact between independent drivers and people who want rides. It
says it does not operate like a taxi and thus far drivers have not had to
register as taxis or limousines. There is a trend to more closely monitor
and regulate Uber and Lift. Time will tell.

Uber is well funded and popular as its prices are less than traditional
cabs. The company has not apparently always abided by the rules of the ADA
and this is what the legal action against Uber is all about.

Potentially it can be a great service for blind people, but only if it
recognizes and really abides by the ADA and other laws. The reports are
quite mixed on this point. If you use a guide dog and attempt to use the
Uber service then you may have problems with individual drivers. Should you
attempt to use Uber and have a problem you should report the problem to Uber
through the app you utilize and you should report the situation to me and to
the NAGDU list.

Let me be clear. Uber is legal in so far as its right to operate is
concerned. However, ridesharing is a work in progress. 


Best,


Michael Hingson

Marion, you said that drivers don't need a commercial driver's license. I
thought I once heard that anybody who is getting paid to drive somebody
around needs a chaufeur's license. I know that in New York City and other
large cities, there are Gypsie cabs, which are individual drivers who are
not connected with any particular taxi service, who may actually not even
have true licenses. I have heard that those drivers are possibly not legal
in many cases.

And, your comment that, "either they follow the ADA or they don't", makes me
think something else. If they are not really seriously enforcing rules which
guarantee our access, do we really want to support this effort?

  Thanks.

Chaim

Chaim B. Segal
Customer Service Rep
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, Ohio

Every Man, woman, every boy and girl,
Let your love light shine, make a better world.

Daryl Hall And John Oates  

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