Uber in Santo Domingo

bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
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...........The other strange thing is that he either really didn't know how to get to the airport, or he was purposely trying to veer off the main route and/or waste time, possibly setting me up to get robbed somewhere along the way. On 27 de Febero, in the central city, I had to direct him to take the express tunnels. Same thing after crossing the bridge over to the east, he failed to take the tunnel and instead stayed up with the local traffic. Again, when we get to San Vicente, he veers to the right and drives adjacent to the autopista, at which point, he could feel my energy change...............


After an ordeal at the toll plaza, not attributable to my driver, he then stays to the left as we approach the turn to the airport, as if to speed right past it towards Boca Chica. Again, I have to yell at him "A LA DERECHA"! Tranquillo, tranquillo, he says, yanking the wheel to the right. Once inside, he had no idea which level was which, or where he was supposed to drop me off. Almost as if he had never been to the airport!............

Maybe he was a recent arrival to SD from Venezuela and didn't know the streets. Did he have Dominican accent?

Most likely the case, a new to the country Venezuelan.

Thanks for the report The Professor.

The airport runs are a money losing deal for the Uber driver. I pay the toll and give a minimum 200 pesos tip. Even then it still turns out to be a bargain getting to the airport, although for the time being I will not use Uber at the airport on arrival.
 
Feb 7, 2007
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There are more competing apps now, you can also use Exelente Taxi (great rates), Etaxi, and Apolo Taxi (many cabs, but higher prices compared to Exelente - still up to 30% cheaper than Apollo over the phone). Etaxi (etaxidom) is a company from Spain, they have Uber-like pricing model (time/distance). Exelente and Apolo charge a flat rate. In all apps you can get tariff in advance before ordering the ride. With eTaxi being variable (time), rate is approximate, with Exelente and Apolo the rate is what you see on the screen when you hit the order button. So many ride options now....
 

tiguerita

New member
Jan 5, 2004
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It is no longer worthwhile for Uber drivers to take anyone to the airport. My husband used to drive Uber and stopped, so did many of his fellow drivers.

Your Uber does not know where you are going ahead of time if they do not contact you.
 
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tiguerita

New member
Jan 5, 2004
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A lot of drivers want you to pay cash to have it upfront. Credit card sales take a week to be deposited to their accounts and Uber charges the their 25% cut of the fairs on what comes in, in credit card sales. If the night is slow, your cabbie might need the gas money.
 
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bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
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It is no longer worthwhile for Uber drivers to take anyone to the airport. My husband used to drive Uber and stopped, so did many of his fellow drivers.

I know that is true and why I always give at least a 200 pesos tip when I use Uber from Santo Domingo to SDQ. Even with the tip it is still a bargain.

Your Uber does not know where you are going ahead of time if they do not contact you.

Exactly what I thought. Uber doesn't know where you are going until you are actually in their vehicle and they hit the app to start the fare.
 

william webster

Rest In Peace WW
Jan 16, 2009
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I am not a big fan of Uber.....
But my family is.

Last week, my wife ‘did the town’ with Uber.

She started at Ministry of Interior & Police...
IKEA, some other store and back to the Zona....

All for less than $15- 20US

Huge deal and easy for her... no language involved.

She got a bit confused and thought she was charged $300 for a trip.
After explaining that the $ applies to both US and DOP....resolved

A very successful outing....
 

rfp

Gold
Jul 5, 2010
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A lot of drivers want you to pay cash to have it upfront. Credit card sales take a week to be deposited to their accounts and Uber charges the their 25% cut of the fairs on what comes in, in credit card sales. If the night is slow, your cabbie might need the gas money.

So what ? Poor money management. If they are driving for Uber they know the deal. Life in RD is not a charity.
 

Mcinbrass

Bronze
Jan 2, 2002
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It is no longer worthwhile for Uber drivers to take anyone to the airport. My husband used to drive Uber and stopped, so did many of his fellow drivers.

Your Uber does not know where you are going ahead of time if they do not contact you.

Called Uber Saturday night for airport ride. First driver refused to take us. Second one came and took us 850 pesos. This was from Gascue.
 

TropicalPaul

Bronze
Sep 3, 2013
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Out of curse e rosity, why did driver #1 refuse you?

It's been said many times on DR1 that Uber doesn't work very well to or from the airport as the fixed tariff is too low for the drivers. I have personally had 3 cars turn up and refuse to take me and nearly missed my flight as a result. Just not worth risking using Uber for airport runs, but every other destination in the capital works very well.
 

RDKNIGHT

Bronze
Mar 13, 2017
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It's been said many times on DR1 that Uber doesn't work very well to or from the airport as the fixed tariff is too low for the drivers. I have personally had 3 cars turn up and refuse to take me and nearly missed my flight as a result. Just not worth risking using Uber for airport runs, but every other destination in the capital works very well.
It may not work for you ... but I never had a problem with huber at the SDQ airport..... huber is better than dealing with some dude yelling my friend and a no air conditioner car
 

william webster

Rest In Peace WW
Jan 16, 2009
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What happened to that famous ‘tipping habit of yours ?

I thought the cash solves all problems Dominican?