Why are the elderly so afraid of Uber/Lyft?

[Anonymous]

I was recently in a Midwest mediumish-city and got asked by two Uber drivers if I’d pay cash directly because the app underpays them. I was with a friend, so we did because it was an event weekend in a place that doesn’t have licensed taxis. But it was truly sketchy and makes me not want to use it, which I don’t often.

[Anonymous]

Taxis still exist? I haven’t seen one in years.

Old people don’t understand technology. Plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uber's safety reports have cited thousands of reports of sexual violence and misconduct.

A friend of mine was on the jury for a rape case against an Uber driver. He was found not guilty only because the state couldn't prove without a reasonable doubt, not because the jury thought he was innocent. The friend looked up his name online after the incident and found a long list of charges against him, rulings of not guilty, and back to driving Uber. I still take Uber when needed, but I don't necessarily find it safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? I’m 40 and hesitant with Ubers, I grew up taking cabs and both grandfathers drove cabs. Cabs were regulated.

Uber you are essentially trusting a random person who may have a significant criminal history to get you from point a to be without direct oversight and management.

Living in DC in the 90s and early 2000s would have cured this idea that cabs are "regulated". I once had a driver who has an old school TV strapped to his dashboard and was watching movies and ALMOST KILLED us on the way home. He still charged me triple. Maybe if you grew up in NYC you are used to a well regulated cab industry, but in DC it was AWFUL. Uber quickly changed the game and it was glorious. Cabs in DC didn't even take credit cards until like 2013! And they fought it! Because they were so used to ripping people off in cash.

[Anonymous]

They can’t figure out the app

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? I’m 40 and hesitant with Ubers, I grew up taking cabs and both grandfathers drove cabs. Cabs were regulated.

Uber you are essentially trusting a random person who may have a significant criminal history to get you from point a to be without direct oversight and management.

Living in DC in the 90s and early 2000s would have cured this idea that cabs are "regulated". I once had a driver who has an old school TV strapped to his dashboard and was watching movies and ALMOST KILLED us on the way home. He still charged me triple. Maybe if you grew up in NYC you are used to a well regulated cab industry, but in DC it was AWFUL. Uber quickly changed the game and it was glorious. Cabs in DC didn't even take credit cards until like 2013! And they fought it! Because they were so used to ripping people off in cash.

I was here (native) and frequently taking cabs then.

Yes, they sucked, but that doesn't necessarily make Uber safer.

[Anonymous]

My parents don't really trust the app. And my mom needs help getting in and out of the car - and doesn't want to rely on an uber driver, if my dad isn't with her.

But yeah, also they just aren't super comfortable with their phones. They use online stuff for a lot of things - but, like, they still go to the bank to deposit checks and stuff.

My spouse and I don't have kids and I keep wondering who's going to make fun of us when we refuse to get up to speed if we're lucky enough to get old.

But seriously it is very frustrating when they refuse to get an Uber in situations where an Uber is clearly the easiest thing to do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? I’m 40 and hesitant with Ubers, I grew up taking cabs and both grandfathers drove cabs. Cabs were regulated.

Uber you are essentially trusting a random person who may have a significant criminal history to get you from point a to be without direct oversight and management.

Living in DC in the 90s and early 2000s would have cured this idea that cabs are "regulated". I once had a driver who has an old school TV strapped to his dashboard and was watching movies and ALMOST KILLED us on the way home. He still charged me triple. Maybe if you grew up in NYC you are used to a well regulated cab industry, but in DC it was AWFUL. Uber quickly changed the game and it was glorious. Cabs in DC didn't even take credit cards until like 2013! And they fought it! Because they were so used to ripping people off in cash.

I was here (native) and frequently taking cabs then.

Yes, they sucked, but that doesn't necessarily make Uber safer.

Yes, it does. I remember being trapped at the wharf and many other places after calling for a cab and they never came. It was terrifying.

[Anonymous]

My older mother doesn't want to be brought home to an empty house by a stranger. It makes her feel vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t understand it either. My mom practically lives on her Kindle and iPhone but refuses to use Uber or Lyft. It’s not like she doesn’t know how to use an app. She just doesn’t want to. I had another family member similarly minded. They’re suspicious of putting their bank account information in anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My older mother doesn't want to be brought home to an empty house by a stranger. It makes her feel vulnerable.

I suspect my mother feels the same way. She’s used to getting rides from people she knows. She’ll barely even call a taxi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to use an app, and most older people don't know how to.

Evidence of this? I find this hard to believe as someone with an agoraphobic mother who is terrified of technology but will learn to use it if she needs to (Spotify app, Amazon app, etc.) The Uber app is very user friendly.

You can't be serious.

Your annecdote is not data.

Go to Google Scholar. Type in "elderly" "resistence to change." You'll find 2,000,000+ results.

[Anonymous]

They have an Uber Teen. They should make an Uber Senior. Huge market for care-giver drivers who speak loudly, help in and out of the car, know back entrances, and can explain to people exactly where they are with patience upon pick-up.

[Anonymous]

My parents are 80 and don't drive much anymore. They Uber all the time.

[Anonymous]

My dad (79) is happy to Uber as long as I order it for him. He uses a walker or wheelchair depending on how well he is feeling, so I always order a comfort ride for him. He hasn’t had any issues with the ride, but like others have mentioned I think he is deterred by using the App independently.