Seattle drivers clash with independent 'hustlers' for cruise passenger fares
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Drivers-for-hire say their passengers are being lured away at the Seattle cruise ship terminal by independent contractors who offer discount rides but lack the proper insurance or credentials.
Cruise ships tie up six days a week during the summer season and as people try to reach their hotels or even the airport, the competition for customers can turn cut-throat. Lovish Kalia works for Uber Black SUV and Black Lane, and said his business is routinely undercut by what he terms as “hustlers.”
When passengers get off the cruise ship, they will start walking with their luggage down Terminal 91 to where their pre-scheduled ride-share driver will pick them up. These drivers will be waiting at the cell phone lot and it will take them a few minutes to get into place once they get the call that their client is ready to go, Kalia said.
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For more on the lead story: komonews.com/news/local/drivers-complain-about-being-undercut-for-passengers-at-seattles-cruise-ship-terminal-summer-uber-lyft-port-terminal-airport-summer-season-insurance-customers-hustler-cut-throat-deals-waterfront-port-uber-lyft-rideshare-taxi-hire-discount-rides-tourism
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@IntriguedLioness 18 күн бұрын
As someone in the industry, tourism marketing, this is a worldwide problem. From Europe to the Caribbean, and some patrol this more than others. The ports can only do so much but the cruise ships can include information in the welcome packets informing people of the financial and physical danger of getting in a non-licensed car. In a city we're getting on the Link to go to the airport is less than $5 and Ubers are usually less than $25 these unsanctioned and unlicensed cars are not going to be able to pick up passengers if the passengers are adequately warned. Cruise set passengers, or daytrippers as they're called in the industry, are the most uninformed tourists. They want the easy way and that's why they're on a bloody ship. I have stepped out into ports all over the world and an informed traveler will not fall for the rabid packs that will descend on them once they disembark with their luggage. Sadly, the fact is, the tourists will always think of the city in which they had one of these bad experiences and it will leave a foul taste in the short time that they are in Seattle.
@TravelGearReport1 17 күн бұрын
Let the market decide. If the customers wish to choose the cheaper option, then it is up to the companies to adapt to the changing market. Whenever government over-regulates an industry, this sort of things happens. It is the government regulation that is putting the companies at a disadvantage. They pass rules, then don't enforce them. Sounds like the companies need to lobby the city to stop putting them at a disadvantage.
@samuel-qy3lk 17 күн бұрын
This is a joke, it sounds like ride share companies are only legally authorized to operate in Seattle, Then who are independent contractors? The correct answer is both of them are authorized to provide services The independent contractors are also your Uber drivers, what they did is cut out Uber and Lyft and provided discount for rides by eliminating the additional charges Uber does for coordinating the service So how it’s a concern if you can get a direct deal form the real provider My advice is just check if the independent contractor is licensed, and that is easy they have a sticker on their vehicle that states WA limo Easy
@pasques 12 күн бұрын
the independent contractors are not authorized to provide these services.
@salty_dabs3565 17 күн бұрын
So lower your prices 😂 eventually they will not want to do it because the pay sucks. 😅 play there game.
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp 17 күн бұрын
To be very objective - you would also have to be honestly doing your research and report whether there is some "monopoly" going on between "Greyline of Seattle - passenger service airport -cruise ships" a company owned by Holland American that operates the Cruise Ships". Their drivers used to complain bitterly that they were not getting any tips since passengers were told that TIPS are included in the price they pay for the cruise - starting with services from the Airport.
@WalkiTalki 17 күн бұрын
When the county formed the Somali Aid groups we had this problem between the three big taxi services and the Somalis. When the Somalis started to drive under eachother's license as taxi drivers most of the taxi drivers went to work for Uber. Now neither taxis nor Uber is safe and local drivers are shot in the parking lot at SouthCenter Mall.
@WalkiTalki 17 күн бұрын
Just ask Nick Hokema's family.
@nesihalove4084 17 күн бұрын
You guys doing this news because Uber sponsored you it's not fair news you have too talk those drivers too because those inspectors are abusing legal drivers too
@pasques 12 күн бұрын
the hustlers are working overtime to protect their hustle. Dont get into a vehicle unless its licensed and insured. Dont trade a few dollars for safety.
@seriouscarguys702 18 күн бұрын
That’s the same as 7-Eleven or McDonald’s saying that other restaurants or businesses can’t operate near them because it’s affecting their business. What the F this is America. It’s a free market people
@EnlistedBombin 18 күн бұрын
Wrong analogy... it would be like a restaurant can't operate cause unlicenced street vendors in front of the business. Cause you can appose at a planning commision a 7-11 or mcdonalds. WAY Different.. lic vs lic is what you showed which should be unlic vs lic.
@seriouscarguys702 18 күн бұрын
Nobody likes to share
@seriouscarguys702 18 күн бұрын
That person is legally licensed. They shouldn’t be using boards and commissions and groups to dictate. Who’s in business and who is not this is America. Everybody is-able to operate just like the Internet. You can’t tell anybody online that they can’t sell a particular product anybody can sell on Amazon or eBay I successfully sued the city over a concession for offering exclusive contracts to vendors now everybody can get a license 🎯
@seriouscarguys702 18 күн бұрын
@@EnlistedBombin just like when the taxis were fighting nobody likes to share or make adjustments, but this is America. Things are always changing. Everybody has a fair opportunity to compete the game is not supposed to be rigged 🙅🏾♂️😂
@EnlistedBombin 18 күн бұрын
@@seriouscarguys702 Really cause you can not sell weed online... or you can not resell Velcro online. Not only that the address you business is operating at not llc out your supposed to be lic. Furthmore the planning commission issues the lic... some zoning only allows for X amount of X stores in X area. BTW no guns, knives, tabbacco ect allowed on Amazon so they can tell you... Just like craigslist got sued for human trafficing when they sold NADDA... free speech right? Anyone can sell anything anywhere at anytime don't make it legal.
@punchkitten874 18 күн бұрын
LMAO!!! Man those accusations just make them look bitter. Uber and other rideshare apps don't allow older cars, so screw those guys
@vihtoripuurola3775 18 күн бұрын
Independent operators probably have cheaper prices. Calling an Uber driver a professional driver is a laugh.
@EnlistedBombin 18 күн бұрын
There are also no commercially insured so anything happens your going to sue a service driver...cause personal insurance will not cover it per every insurance contract.
@EnlistedBombin 18 күн бұрын
They should have a ride share lane.
@seriouscarguys702 18 күн бұрын
You can still request an Uber XL minivan for half the cost and get the same space there’s always gonna be competition the city does not dictate who can be in business and who can’t it’s a free market for everyone and you have to compete
@Dim.X 18 күн бұрын
Dumb pay double