What I learned from my TNCs experiences in the Niagara Falls

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Visiting other cities tells us a lot of things.
Last week, I traveled to the Niagara Falls. I was not only amazed by the beautiful scenery but also found some local features regarding TNCs.

1. There was no sharing option
After I arrived at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, I searched a ride in Uber and Lyft apps. I found both of them didn't have sharing options. Especially tourism focused cities like Niagara region, where demand fluctuates dramatically depending on seasons, holidays and weather, TNCs will smoothly adjust supply and demand with market mechanisms. At the same time, sharing options will contribute to reduce the time-specific congestion. However, these characteristics indicate that it will require more careful conversation among the city, TNC operation companies, and taxi industry. One reason is obviously that it will reduce the number of required drivers in high demand timeline. The damage to employment would be more impactful than non-sightseeing spots. Another reason will be TNCs' networking effect, which can work even strongly when most tourists head to the same destination.

2. Higher competition toward long distance rides
When I came back to the airport, I used Lyft as well. The driver asked me via phone about my destination before picking me up, not directly come to the pick up point. I didn't ask him directly, but it might be that he wanted to know whether it was a long distance ride, especially a 40 minutes travel to the airport. It has a risk to degrade drivers' rate since it will require additional picking up minutes and bothersome to some riders, and actually I used additional 10 minutes to be picked up since I didn't answer phone calls twice while I was walking with my suitcase. Yet, I agree that the driver's incentive to choose "long distance rides to high-demand destination" would be much higher than big cities where the next ride can be called easier.

3. Uber can cross international border
As a person who came from an island country, I was so surprised to know that Uber could cross the international border with passengers. I needed to come back from the Canadian side to USA side after seeing the light up. My curiosity led me to search a ride to my hotel in USA side. Amazingly, at least to me, there was a ride option! After the trip, I found that drivers who are licensed in both cities can cross borders. It's so helpful for tourists in this region, though the bridge is only five minutes to walk through.
As a result, I didn't try it considering trouble risks, but it was a moment that told me technologies can reduce the meaning of national borders. 

I had enough time to walk around the Niagara Falls US side. There were many properties being vacant, and many restaurants and casinos were almost empty. It made me notice that TNCs regulation will be a part of the regional development strategy, for better or worse.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 7, 2019 at 8:58 AM

    International TNC crossing borders, interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Juan MatuteJune 10, 2019 at 4:45 PM

    I didn't know Ubers could cross the bridge. I was in Niagra falls last summer and walked across the bridge.

    ReplyDelete

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