Über’s taxi service has been a really good addition to the taxi market in Stockholm. Most people are probably already familiar with the concept but it is ordered in an app and you can see your car as it approaches on a map. In many markets this in itself may be an innovation but for the Swedish market it was of course a bit of old news as many of the local taxi companies have offered it for years before Über entered the market. The main benefit I see with Über is that the cars are usually nicer and the drivers more pleasant. The main drawbacks are the ridiculously high surges in pricing that are all too frequent and the lack of cars available. As the service grows I would expect it will improve. The lack of a fixed price option(except for a few airports) is also were Über are a bit worse than the other better options for taxi services.
Annika B.
Tu valoración: 5 Stockholm, Sweden
Über, just like Lyft, originated in San Francisco. Of course app-based, you request a driver from your smart phone and you get instant information on estimated time of arrival, where your car is currently located and who your driver is(with user name and photo). The most exciting part is when you get to follow ‘your’ car in real time on its way to pick you up on the map provided by the Über App. This always turns me into a child for some reason and there is no use in trying to talk to me during this time. I am occupied figuring out which way the driver will take and which stop light he is stuck by at the moment. Sometimes the app map and gps is not perfect so it always a good idea to give the driver a call when he approaches. The Über cars are not advertised as usual taxis with light on the roof and special license plates. They are usually both more exclusive and have better standard than normal taxis. The price is a little higher than a normal taxi and will depend on when in the day you are using Über. Higher demand like Friday and Saturday nights will give a higher price and this information will be accessed in your App. Finally when your ride is over all you need is to exit the car and get on with your day. This is also when you have the chance to rate your driver. All Über drivers I have met with so far have been very nice. The receipt with detailed information about your Über trip including exact distance, mean speed, and price will be sent to your email. This is how it works: sign up at or in your app. Here you create your profile and add your credit /debit card information. Then you are good to go! What a great way of ordering and getting a ride! Convenient from beginning to end. I know the Swedish Transport Agency have been trying to stop Über, for reasons I am not aware of, but I really hope that they don’t succeed. Über has been growing exponentially in Stockholm so there is a clear need and adoration. Now I just wish ‘Lyft’ will make it to Stockholm as well!
