Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Rat Catcher on December 01, 2025, 02:10:55 pm
-
There seems to be a significant increase in visibility of the Free Now fleet. Is it just that the new "by Lyft" logo is visually more prominent or are there more of them and if there are more, why?
What does one get for carrying the livery?
-
First dibs on bookings etc..sprat to catch a salmon.
-
No money?
-
The new ones I noticed yesterday were mostly on vans, although most of the newbies are in vans so it might just be a coincidence.Is it possible they were rentals and some of the rental fleet owners have been paid to keep Freenow/Lyft stickers updated.
Other than that I can't see why you'd get fresh ones with the Lyft branding attached.
One video on Tik tok showed a driver proudly removing Uber branding only to be replaced with Freenow/lyft stickers.Surely drivers aren't that dumb that they don't see that the two companies almost identical in their ambitions and desire to offer discounts.
-
Lyft must think it's a cheap way to increase brand awareness. Once they realise it doesn't work, they'll just say fukk it and copy Uber >:D
-
Why do say it doesn't work, Watty?
I've certainly noticed it more of late and I downloaded Uber Eats on Mrs. Catcher's phone to get the 10% discount for new accounts with code IRL10 after reading that on a migrant worker's taxi. Subsidised diabetes, get in!
-
No money?
Don't think so.I think Uber and Bolt pay for it but not sure?
-
No use to me. My Bolt account is blocked and I've withdrawn service from Uber but I only told them I'm sulking, might as well keep the option open incase I fall out with Free Now at some stage!
-
From reading online RC in other countries Uber should offer you some sort of bonus package within two weeks to turn on your app again.
-
I did think that. They gave Ken a deuce for covering 20 jobs or something like that and I kinda thought, that'll do!
However, I have an open support ticket that they're ignoring so that could prevent such an offer. My last update to the ticket was to tell them I'm sulking - seemed an apt term to employ given that they treat us like Children with gold stars anall. Mrs. Catcher says you can't give in to a sulking Child so they could well just ignore me knowing that I'll go back if I fall out with Free Now or otherwise conclude that it'd be beneficial to return. I guess my little protest could even go unnoticed or be lost amid the flock of drivers complaining about fixed fares.
-
If you want them to really take notice RC delete yer app for a week or so.I'd say they've a retention team dedicated to bringing back lost sheep and app deletions will be something they'd actually act on.
Throw that virtual radio through the virtual hatch in the base and teach them a lesson.
-
I could be on the end of a long list though given that all members of Taxi Divers [of] Ireland were instructed to delete their apps.. and most of those ahead of me will most likely employ language that'd be construed as abuse to office workers so they might just shred it before getting to my virtual feet being stamped!
-
You may well be the only one on Uber strike out there RC.It definitely seems like a minority who are abstaining from covering fixed fare jobs.
-
Asked already,does anyone know if FF jobs, and Reserve jobs are excluded on Uber's "oppurtunities " offering? Waiting nearly 2 weeks for an answer from them.
-
The T&Cs page includes "Taxi Upfront Fare"... I'd imagine that's the same (maybe UK term) as Fixed Fare. All that's specifically excluded is Uber Eats deliveries IIRC. Click on the "opportunity" to view the same.
Their customer service is very poor. They don't care about drivers.
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
They owe me €115, but haven't added an FF, and a Reserve job thus target not achieved.
-
Jeez... and I've escalated a sulk into a full withdrawal of service (but don't tell them) over €9.50!
-
There seems to be a significant increase in visibility of the Free Now fleet. Is it just that the new "by Lyft" logo is visually more prominent or are there more of them and if there are more, why?
What does one get for carrying the livery?
One gets to pay a minimum of €250 a week rent to BOBO taxi rentals for a high mileage Prius:
https://www.free-now.com/ie/driver-benefits-ireland/ (https://www.free-now.com/ie/driver-benefits-ireland/)
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
Bang of FN off it alright,Uber fucking it away when they had just about taken over in Dublin anyhow,............................self immolation.
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
They're probably hoping driver's won't notice the dip in the single fare because their overall takings will be up or stay the same because of the rush. Then when they notice it in Jan or Feb, it'll be too late >:D
-
BOBO MOTORS is the MVLO brand ambassador for Free Lyft Now. All the heaps will be stickered to the Nth degree.
The immigrants driving their heaps don't have a say in the matter.
Targeting the immigrants and Irish poor is a nasty marketing ploy.
-
BOBO MOTORS is the MVLO brand ambassador for Free Lyft Now. All the heaps will be stickered to the Nth degree.
The immigrants driving their heaps don't have a say in the matter.
Targeting the immigrants and Irish poor is a nasty marketing ploy.
and will click on anything without a second thought,it needs the drivers who are not indentured slaves to ignore the yellow pack shite and hopefully they get the message.
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
Bang of FN off it alright,Uber fucking it away when they had just about taken over in Dublin anyhow,............................self immolation.
Either one with a monopoly wouldn't/won't be good for drivers. Uber only made ground by giving away virtually free rides. That can only go one of two ways... drivers will either cover the discounts or lose much of the work. Free Now's Taxi Saver suggests the former. I brought mummy to the library in Coolock today and turned Free Now on out of curiosity. A Taxi Saver job priced €4-5 was snapped up, that's the lowest I've seen to date.
-
Sorry Bob I'm no help as I'm rarely working when bonuses are offered.I might just be a glitch in their system.
Seems a bit mad to introduce fixed fares in the weeks before the Christmas rush.That's more like a Freenow move.
Bang of FN off it alright,Uber fucking it away when they had just about taken over in Dublin anyhow,............................self immolation.
FFS
Either one with a monopoly wouldn't/won't be good for drivers. Uber only made ground by giving away virtually free rides. That can only go one of two ways... drivers will either cover the discounts or lose much of the work. Free Now's Taxi Saver suggests the former. I brought mummy to the library in Coolock today and turned Free Now on out of curiosity. A Taxi Saver job priced €4-5 was snapped up, that's the lowest I've seen to date.
-
Refused all Uber FF jobs tonight on a quiet night. It can be hard when one knows that those particular jobs will be covered, and might be as per the meter, or maybe 60c less, thereby no worse than a full fare Free Now at 15%, but try to remember that it's the thin edge of the wedge.
Without significant demonstrable unity we are dependent on the NTA to fix this which is unlikely bearing in mind their policy to date. I don't see them relishing the thought of a high court challenge to a propose NTA app, but I might be wrong, the ESB got away with it for long enough on the billing system until they got out of retailing.
-
Refused all Uber FF jobs tonight on a quiet night. It can be hard when one knows that those particular jobs will be covered, and might be as per the meter, or maybe 60c less, thereby no worse than a full fare Free Now at 15%, but try to remember that it's the thin edge of the wedge.
Without significant demonstrable unity we are dependent on the NTA to fix this which is unlikely bearing in mind their policy to date. I don't see them relishing the thought of a high court challenge to a propose NTA app, but I might be wrong, the ESB got away with it for long enough on the billing system until they got out of retailing.
How do ya know the uber deals an wheels yur bean offered are real ? How many times hav ya accepted an uber job an it was taken off ya wen clearly it had you as first ?
Yuv no idea wat they can do ..... maybe ther tryin to fuk wit yur head .... yur dealin wit Ai an all sort o shit now .....
I cud giv a fuk whos doin them .... I know that if I accept 1 of those jobs I wont be driving a taxi any more within a yer or 2 .... if retards do accept them then it was they who braut the ship down not me ..... dont be livin yur life by wat others think or wat others are doing ...be a man an do wat you tink is right not wat the fuking sheep are doing
-
Uber has never charged a full metered fare as long as it's been in Ireland. If you oppose discounts delete the app... unless you're thick enough to think Uber is going to run at a loss forever.
-
Fuk sake lads if this keep going we're gonna have to book two separate tables for the Christmas party..
-
Uber has never charged a full metered fare as long as it's been in Ireland. If you oppose discounts delete the app... unless you're thick enough to think Uber is going to run at a loss forever.
I got an Uber as a client Nov 22nd 18.30 Dundrum to Dalkey full meter fare + Tech fee, no subsidy €29, no subsidy. 1st of 31 trips in the lst year that didn't have a subsidy.
-
Still giving me 30% discount. Had a look in Cork on 20th Nov to see if my discount was valid there as well. It was - screenshot posted on another thread http://intaxi.org/forum/index.php?topic=18373.0 (http://intaxi.org/forum/index.php?topic=18373.0)
-
My uber punters pay the metered fare, full stop!
-
I'm not calling you a liar but they've never offered me a full fare option and only offered BS a full fare option once in 31 rides.
I thought you were part of the Taxi Drivers [of] Ireland protest against Uber... did Derek not tell you to delete the driver app a couple of weeks back?
-
I'm not calling you a liar but they've never offered me a full fare option and only offered BS a full fare option once in 31 rides.
I thought you were part of the Taxi Drivers [of] Ireland protest against Uber... did Derek not tell you to delete the driver app a couple of weeks back?
Derek is a tour guide. He's certainly taking a number of taximen for a ride.
-
Initially, yes. He had no intention of negotiating with Uber. He's not stupid... he knew full well that Uber wasn't going to negotiate it's drivers' remuneration with a direct competitor so that was pure lies. He wants to get Uber out of Cork and the easiest way to do that is to convince as many drivers as he can to delete the app. However, he is right in suggesting that protesting drivers should delete the app. It's very confusing for customers and highly amusing for Uber watching drivers protest against the firm while working for it when not protesting.
In short, I agree that he's a devious shyster but I kinda agree with him nonetheless.
-
Initially, yes. He had no intention of negotiating with Uber. He's not stupid... he knew full well that Uber wasn't going to negotiate it's drivers' remuneration with a direct competitor so that was pure lies. He wants to get Uber out of Cork and the easiest way to do that is to convince as many drivers as he can to delete the app. However, he is right in suggesting that protesting drivers should delete the app. It's very confusing for customers and highly amusing for Uber watching drivers protest against the firm while working for it when not protesting.
In short, I agree that he's a devious shyster but I kinda agree with him nonetheless.
I'd have him down as a paid agitator. How many tours is he doing, or fixed fares to/from the airport at this crucial time?
-
I don't think he drives the taxis himself. He obviously has taxi drivers working for him as (to the best of my knowledge) he doesn't actually own a taxi plate. He's described on his website as the lead driver. I suspect that means he covers the more lucrative tour work himself and employs other limo and taxi drivers to do the mundane point to point runs.
I guess he might say he acts as an intermediary between taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-drivers, company owners, providers of other mobility solutions, and you as a passenger or rider.
-
...... They gave Ken a deuce for covering 20 jobs or something like that and I kinda thought, that'll do! .....
I had a root back through last years 2024 figures and my recent emails to get exact figures and dates fer you Stephen.
In 2024 I did my last job on 18/11/2024 before they again pissed me off on an incorrect on their behalf insurance issue.
On 1/9/2025 they offered me a Trummer to rejoin if'n I completed 15 jobs in 2 weeks, which I did, but gave up on them again soon after fer various reasons.
-
Thanks, Ken. I have gone through a couple of phases of not working for 4+ weeks this year on account of holidays and such like and they've never offered me anything. Maybe they need drivers in Cork more than Dublin. The only attention I got was a couple of emails telling me they intended ringing me from a specified Dublin phone number but they never actually rang or I missed the calls... so I won't hold my breath.
-
...... What does one get for carrying the livery?
Why would you ask the Mongs on here fer advice ?
When it is stated on your App home screen !
-
I actually had a good look at it this very morning, Ken as I had made what I thought was more progress to becoming a Priority Driver than ever before at 60%. Now I know I can never reach 100% because some of the points - and I now understand how the points work - are for having an EV and having stickers so, as far as I can tell Priority isn't Priority as it used to be, it's a scale which feeds drivers work based on their point on that scale so having 60/100 is actually theoretically better than having 15/100 points although probably not much better in practice.
I also came across a notification offering drivers €200 to replace Uber livery with Free Now By Lyft livery. I don't have Uber Livery on my car but I would take the deuce to sticker up if they extended that offer to drivers who don't work for Uber.
-
The Uber lads are getting €80 a month which is not too bad.If I had Uber branding and didn't agree with the current policies I'd just cover them up and pocket the €80 to break Uber financially...
200 from Freenow isn't a great offer unless they plan to keep paying out every month.Drivers are selling advert space way too cheap IMO.
-
You get points as well though! Points make ......