TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Uber or similar on SXM?

I’m sure the cabbie union is strong on the island, but Uber (or similar) has been quite convenient on recent trips to Europe and Asia.

Has Uber had any inroads on the island even if it were cabbies responding.

Even when we moved by various means in other countries sometimes we said “see if we can get an Uber to place X”

Very nice not to be worried about cash or unscrupulous cabbies.

TJ--I have no idea why you think that Uber would be more trustworthy than cabbies, but so far, there is no such thing on SXM.

I will chime in on this. Because with an Uber you the price up front. The driver's rating up front and most importantly you will not have to deal with "sorry I have no change" when they in an all cash business.

murphy--as you should know, things in SXM just aren't that organized..

I get the island time atmosphere but saying you have no change when its a cash transaction is insulting. That being said I have enjoyed many taxi rides so the problem is contained to a few.

Had mostly good experience on SXM. With Uber, there is no emotion or haggling and it is cashless which I prefer. I’ve had some wide disparity in price coming/going or one day to the next.

In New York, sometimes you get a cab now versus a private vehicle.

Main objective is known price and cashless transaction. No surprises.

Take a bus. They drive frequently, stop wherever you flag them down, let you off wherever you ask them to. All for $1.50 or $2. Just as fast, if not faster than a cab and often you have interesting conversation with your fellow passengers. I'm about to go ashore and take one to the airport from the SMYC

I think my point was that, even if there were such a thing on SXM, to expect there to be an online ratings system, etc., on SXM is stretching it. It's actually been a few years since I've taken a cab ride on SXM, so I don't know whether most have change or not. The only cab ride I have taken in recent years was with Wilfred Brooks, who is a professional in all respects.

When the island can't get the airport up and running at full speed after 7 years, I would not hold my breath for Uber or anything else like that.

https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/

10,000 cities in the world have Uber. The majority I’ve never heard of like Chittagong, Bangladesh. A few countries have their own equivalent like “Grab” in Singapore.

It would be simple for SXM to get it but Im sure some protective laws prevent it. Paris has Uber as does much of France. Amsterdam has it. Is not SXM France and Netherlands-“ish”?

People have cars, UBER has the app, people have credit cards. Seems simple.

Go for it, if you'd like to start that business in SXM..

I just got back from a round trip to pick up some cargo between the terminal and sunset beach. $2 each way, air conditioned, and fast. I believe the going rate for a cab is $15 from the SMYC to the airport.
@TJTrippe - Germany doesn't have Uber, and many other countries have banned/restricted these types of carriage systems. There's not a snowball's chance in any of Dante's 9 circles of hell of an Uber getting established on any of the Caribbean islands I've been to. Including the USVI, which is USA-ish.

Put this link in your WhatsApp, mute it! But super easy for getting a cab

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CisYOboiPkHH04Ym3fRVRO

As always, Zanshin, you are a fount of knowledge..

Zanshin. Actually, I used Uber in Berlin and Munich last year as well as Prague and Paris. Really great going from Beer hall to beer hall. No hailing, no phone calls and I can see where the coming car is comin from. Same in Paris. Road the Metro from here to there to ther and in the end just wanted to go to hotel. Uber, Voila.

Dresden, however does not. Had to hit an ATM to get a ride from train station to hotel.

I know why your name is Trippe. Apparently you take a lot of them.

Maybe it has to do with wild mushrooms.😜

Mercy. OK.