LETTERS: Seniors, students benefit from Uber
To the editor:
Uber, a company that offers ride-sharing, is a win-win for both the citizens of Las Vegas and the city. Why? Have you ever called a taxi for pickup in a residential area? The driver doesn’t show up for hours. I’ve waited two hours or more on two occasions, resulting in a missed medical appointment — which I had to pay for — and a missed flight. When you call the cab company asking where the cab is, all the operator tells you is, “It’s on its way.”
Las Vegas has thousands of retirees and more coming every year. Many don’t drive, and when they need to get to a doctor’s appointment or go to the store or visit a friend, Uber and all the other ride-share app companies are a godsend. And don’t forget about all the college students who need rides to and from places. It’s great for them, too.
The scare tactics of the taxi companies are grounded in greed (“Las Vegas cab company makes an Uber threat,” June 8 Review-Journal online). They don’t want to lose fares and fear ride-sharing is competition. It really isn’t. Taxi companies are threatening their drivers if, on their own time, they drive for Uber and other ride-share companies. Those drivers could be fined or have their cars impounded. I say what cabbies do on their own time is their business, and the taxi companies should leave drivers alone. It seems to me the cabbies would have a great lawsuit if a taxi company tried to fine or fire drivers or confiscate cars because of what those cabbies do on their own time.
The cabbies and their union are making a fuss because they want a monopoly on any transportation. They already make big bucks, many times $100 a head for dropping off a group at a strip club. Then they use long-haul fares to jack up the meter and the tip. They don’t care as much about Las Vegas residents, catering only to tourists on the Strip and at the airport. That’s why senior citizens and students in Las Vegas need Uber and other ride share companies. The more the merrier.
And the lame argument by taxi companies that Uber should have to be licensed and regulated rings hollow. All Uber and other ride-share companies are doing is offering a service through a cellphone app, connecting two people to hook up for a ride. It is no different than me saying to a neighbor, “Hey Joe, can you give me a lift to my doctor? I have to be there by 3 p.m. I’ll pay for your gas.”
Folks, that is all Uber is doing — matching people up to share a ride. The retirees and students in town need Uber. The taxi companies will survive and make their money doing what they are doing now, and retirees and students will be accommodated. Government agencies should not let taxi companies ban Uber. If the lawmakers are really looking out for their residents, they will see that having another way for people to get around is good for the community.
BRADLEY KUHNS
LAS VEGAS
Immigration line-jumpers
To the editor:
How do the pathway-to-citizenship sycophants justify to themselves their support of this odious plan, which is definitely not in the best interests of the United States, nor fair to all the men and women from other countries using legal channels to enter the U.S.?
Most illegal aliens eagerly live in this country and enjoy most of its benefits, while not being that concerned about citizenship, as long as they don’t have to worry about deportation. On the other hand, people trying to enter this country legally wait years in their own countries.
Ask yourself: Am I really OK with letting these line-jumpers remain in this country, while those trying to enter legally wait for years in many cases?
JOHN J. ERLANGER
LAS VEGAS
Teachers’ union dues
To the editor:
I agree with the points made by Mark Thomas in his letter regarding the Clark County Education Association (“Defending the CCEA,” (Monday Review-Journal). My agreement, however, was weakened somewhat by the description of his $700 annual association dues as “that small amount.” Makes me wonder.
DON SEXTON
LAS VEGAS
