Neil Williams wrote:
On 2016-08-16 09:11:28 +0000, Roland Perry said:

My experience of (pre-Uber) minicab drivers is they just sit outside in
the road tooting the horn until someone emerges from the house. Yet
another completely illegal procedure, of course.

In these days of mobile phone confirmations, you should really be
walking out of your door just as the vehicle arrives, obviating the
need for this.

Yes, my local minicab firm's drivers ring me as they arrive. They no longer
get out of the car at all, unless they need to stow luggage in the boot.

On 2016-08-16 09:50:19 +0000, Recliner said:

It's probably better than most cab firms. The reason that black cabs hate
Uber is that it's so popular with customers, not that it provides poor
customer service.

The black cab dislike of Uber is close to the DOO debates on Southern -
technology is obviating the need for a job, and those in that job
understandably don't like it.

We'll have the same for the abolition of train *drivers* within 20
years. Guard-only operation like DLR is more likely to be the future
(or full automation of city metro systems with staff on specific busy
platforms only); DOO is a short-term blip.

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

In message , at 11:00:16 on Tue, 16
Aug 2016, Neil Williams remarked:

My experience of (pre-Uber) minicab drivers is they just sit outside
in the road tooting the horn until someone emerges from the house.
Yet another completely illegal procedure, of course.

In these days of mobile phone confirmations, you should really be
walking out of your door just as the vehicle arrives, obviating the
need for this.

I've never ordered a minicab that offered any kind of real-time feedback
about when it was going to arrive.
--
Roland Perry

In message , at 11:04:06 on Tue, 16
Aug 2016, Neil Williams remarked:

The black cab dislike of Uber is close to the DOO debates on Southern -
technology is obviating the need for a job, and those in that job
understandably don't like it.

In London it's much more than that. One of the black cab's main
complaints is that Uber cars illegally (as in "waiting") congregate
outside various venues, and as well as in effect being hailed by people
leaving the venue, block the parking/kerbside so black cabs can't be
easily hailed, or drop off.
--
Roland Perry

On Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:04:06 +0100
Neil Williams wrote:
On 2016-08-16 09:50:19 +0000, Recliner said:

It's probably better than most cab firms. The reason that black cabs hate
Uber is that it's so popular with customers, not that it provides poor
customer service.

The black cab dislike of Uber is close to the DOO debates on Southern -
technology is obviating the need for a job, and those in that job
understandably don't like it.

We'll have the same for the abolition of train *drivers* within 20
years. Guard-only operation like DLR is more likely to be the future
(or full automation of city metro systems with staff on specific busy
platforms only); DOO is a short-term blip.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. ATO on a slow metro system is one thing, having
no one at the front on an express is another matter entirely. Until trains
have sensors at least as good as the human eye to see any obstructions ahead it
won't happen. The same issues apply to self driving cars. Its no use the
computer seeing all the cars around it in precise detail if it misses the pile
up 200m ahead and brakes way too late.

--
Spud

wrote:
On Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:04:06 +0100
Neil Williams wrote:
On 2016-08-16 09:50:19 +0000, Recliner said:

It's probably better than most cab firms. The reason that black cabs hate
Uber is that it's so popular with customers, not that it provides poor
customer service.

The black cab dislike of Uber is close to the DOO debates on Southern -
technology is obviating the need for a job, and those in that job
understandably don't like it.

We'll have the same for the abolition of train *drivers* within 20
years. Guard-only operation like DLR is more likely to be the future
(or full automation of city metro systems with staff on specific busy
platforms only); DOO is a short-term blip.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. ATO on a slow metro system is one thing, having
no one at the front on an express is another matter entirely. Until trains
have sensors at least as good as the human eye to see any obstructions ahead it
won't happen. The same issues apply to self driving cars. Its no use the
computer seeing all the cars around it in precise detail if it misses the pile
up 200m ahead and brakes way too late.

Can the drivers of 200mph expresses see far enough ahead to be able to have
any material ability to slow or stop the train if they see an obstruction
or track problem?

On Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:26:55 -0000 (UTC)
Recliner wrote:
Can the drivers of 200mph expresses see far enough ahead to be able to have
any material ability to slow or stop the train if they see an obstruction
or track problem?

No, but any brake application is better than nothing. Current ATO would see
nothing unless a signal section was tripped and would hit any obstruction
at full speed fully motored.

--
Spud

On 2016-08-16 11:11:43 +0000, Roland Perry said:

I've never ordered a minicab that offered any kind of real-time
feedback about when it was going to arrive.

Really? All my local firms do, either allowing GPS tracking via their
app, or if you ordered by telephone you get a text message when the
vehicle is allocated, giving you time to get your shoes on ready etc,
and another when it is a short distance away, allowing you to walk out
of your front door near enough straight into the vehicle.

While I appreciate you live in a more rural area than I, I'm surprised
any firms still exist not providing those facilities. The text service
has existed round here for well over 10 years, the apps for about a
year or two.

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

On 2016-08-16 11:14:23 +0000, Roland Perry said:

In London it's much more than that. One of the black cab's main
complaints is that Uber cars illegally (as in "waiting") congregate
outside various venues, and as well as in effect being hailed by people
leaving the venue, block the parking/kerbside so black cabs can't be
easily hailed, or drop off.

Given the significant disruption black cabs stopping where they feel
like in London, particularly in bus lanes, cause to other modes of
transport, again particularly buses, I can't help but have a quiet
giggle about that and wish Uber the best of luck.

Personally, I think stopping on Red Routes and in bus lanes should be
prohibited for everyone at all times, taxis included, loading included,
unless a special paid-for application is made as is common in Europe
for house-move days or building work. The only *possible* exception I
would give is those with disabilities.

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.

On 2016-08-16 11:28:42 +0000, d said:

I wouldn't be so sure of that. ATO on a slow metro system is one thing, having
no one at the front on an express is another matter entirely. Until trains
have sensors at least as good as the human eye to see any obstructions ahead it
won't happen.

No train can stop in the distance its human operator can see to be clear.

Neil
--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the @ to reply.