Transport-as-a-Service versus personal ownership of cars

**Vodka** · September 24th, 2017 11:43 PM

suppose in the near future the Ubers are running on self-driving cars. would you give up your personal car for the convenience and lower cost of TaaS?

just think about it. no need to buy a car and insurance. no need to deal w/ parking. no need to drive! (and deal w/ idiot drivers, road rage, etc). don't have to deal w/ car maintenance, fender-benders, accidents, etc.

this would free up TONS of space that's currently being used as parking

would lessen cars. improve traffic. reduce pollution

i think i like the idea, but might still own an electric dirtbike or something

**dr. d** · September 25th, 2017 12:01 AM

i have experienced having to go somewhere, and no vehicle available. no uber, no grab, no taxi, no for-hire-car available!
and this is not an uncommon experience.
if i can be guaranteed transport vehicle at my beck and call, at all times and any time, with minimal waiting time, fine. i'd gladly sell my car.

**SidCoronel** · September 26th, 2017 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Vodka

just think about it. no need to buy a car and insurance. no need to deal w/ parking. no need to drive! (and deal w/ idiot drivers....

Vodka,

Im an Uber driver and my I.Q. is 137, what's yours?

**vinj** · September 26th, 2017 10:05 AM

I think the bottomline is if there reliable and safe access to mass transport or services, people will use their cars less or even give them up entirely. In the past, a lot of my officemates would take the MRT then when services deteriorated, that's where i saw people start buying their own cars or more cars.

**uls** · September 26th, 2017 10:22 AM

there are people who believe in a Jetsons / Star Trek utopian future

there are people who believe in a Mad Max / Fahrenheit 451 dystopian future

**ssaloon** · September 26th, 2017 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by vinj

I think the bottomline is if there reliable and safe access to mass transport or services, people will use their cars less or even give them up entirely. In the past, a lot of my officemates would take the MRT then when services deteriorated, that's where i saw people start buying their own cars or more cars.

THIS.

It's basically what's already happening in Singapore. Efficient public transport system has relegated car ownership to a luxury rather than a need.

**ice15** · September 26th, 2017 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by ssaloon

THIS.

It's basically what's already happening in Singapore. Efficient public transport system has relegated car ownership to a luxury rather than a need.

The government is pushing for less privately owned cars, but in reality, those who do not have cars cannot afford it. No other reason.

COE (the right to use your car for 10 years) is crazy expensive, cars are heavily taxed, there's ERP (toll) everywhere and they just required Euro-6 cars (means cars like the Vios and the Mobilio are out!)

***back to the thread...

Yes, I will still own a car even if public transport becomes super efficient.

It's going to point A to point B freely in your own terms.

I might not use it everyday, but the car is just there...

I've mentioned (a lot of times)earlier that I used to take the MRT when it was new and fare was more than Php40... It was fast and clean, I left my car at SM North (parking was free beside Super Sale)... Then they (I can't remember if it was Erap or GMA) decided to reduce the fare, and I was back to driving my own car to Makati.

**kinyo** · September 26th, 2017 12:33 PM

good idea yan TaaS ... sure I would use it

But i'm not selling my car! I like driving and have full control of my travel.

**vinj** · September 26th, 2017 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by ice15

I've mentioned (a lot of times)earlier that I used to take the MRT when it was new and fare was more than Php40... It was fast and clean, I left my car at SM North (parking was free beside Super Sale)... Then they (I can't remember if it was Erap or GMA) decided to reduce the fare, and I was back to driving my own car to Makati.

It was really a dumb, populist move to reduce the MRT fare, if you ask me. My take: the fare should be commensurate to what it costs to maintain the darn thing and let those who want to pay less take the bus.

Basically, with mass transport easily accessible and reliable I'd use this for my day to day commute and relegate the car to weekend use or when i have other things to do.

**greenlyt** · September 26th, 2017 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by ice15

I've mentioned (a lot of times)earlier that I used to take the MRT when it was new and fare was more than Php40... It was fast and clean, I left my car at SM North (parking was free beside Super Sale)... Then they (I can't remember if it was Erap or GMA) decided to reduce the fare, and I was back to driving my own car to Makati.

It was Erap.

sinasama ko dati sumakay ng MRT eldest son ko from Ayala station to Edsa North and back