I think this cab driver's answer to Uber coming to his town is a little outdated considering all of the advances in modern technology.

Uber
Uber
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A Portsmouth cabbie thinks he has the "answer to Uber," but the question I am asking is how in the world he thinks his app can compete with the company.

For anyone who isn't familiar with Uber, it is a mobile app that connects passengers to drivers willing to transport them.  It has been popping up across the country and recently made its way to New Hampshire cities, including Portsmouth.

Of course, Portsmouth cabbies are none too pleased with this.

Owner of Great Bay Taxi, John Palreiro, is one of these people and said that he is developing his own app to compete with Uber. Passengers can type a short code on their phones and text for their ride.

A nice attempt, but Uber users have everything at their fingertips to find a nearby driver, tell them where you want to go, call them over, pay them and even rate the experience. I have used Uber a few times since moving to Portsmouth and can tell you it is a marvel of modern convenience.

I have also taken many a cab to get downtown and it is not a completely horrible option, but you can't argue with the convenience of Uber as an alternative form of transportation. Just the ability to text instead of call, or flag down, a cab is not going to impress anyone.

With Uber I can summon a taxi and pay for it without leaving the loving embrace of my smartphone screen. Now that is service.

The only option for cabbies who hate Uber is to hope the city chooses to regulate it like a normal taxi business, which is the center of debate right now, or step up their game in a more meaningful way.

Maybe cabbies can give every passenger a bag of peanuts like airlines used to do, or install a Super Nintendo in their backseats. I'd love to play a round of Super Mario World on my way to the bar.

Even better, they can get psychology degrees and double as professional therapists to passengers during their rides.

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Of course, the taxi companies in this part of New Hampshire are too busy fighting with each other to really do anything about alternative driving competition. Just don't mess with the infamous "Crabby Cabby"

I find it hilarious that a local cabbie thinks it can beat Uber at their own game. What I do like is the idea of businesses innovating in response to competition.

Merely adding texting to the taxi experience is too little, too late when there is better technology out there.

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