Uber
ride-sharing app strongly preferred to taxis by users
Two thirds disapprove of ban
TORONTO NOVEMBER
25th, 2014 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the
Forum Poll™ among 950 Torontonians 18 years of age and older, one tenth had
used the Uber mobile ride-sharing app (12%). Users are commonly younger (under
35 - 16%, 35 to 44 - 18%), male (16%), CBC viewers (16%), cellphone-only
respondents (16%), the wealthiest (16%), those who walk or bike to work or
school (22%) and the best educated (post grad - 16%).
Majority see Uber as "much
better" than taxi
More than one
half of Uber users characterize the experience as "much better" than
the taxi experience (53%) and a further one quarter characterize the experience
as "somewhat better" than a cab ride (25%), for a total of three
quarters who find the Uber experience superior to taxi service (78%).
Two thirds disapprove of banning Uber
When it is
explained that the Taxi industry has complained to the government about Uber
and wants it banned, two thirds disapprove of this idea (68%) and just fewer
than one fifth approve (18%). One sixth or so do not have an opinion (14%).
"You would think, with the
increasing success and high user satisfaction of Uber, the taxi industry might
try to learn something from the enterprise, rather than trying to shut it down.
Its users are younger, sophisticated, well-educated early adopters, and they
define the future. The city will ignore their preferences at its peril," said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
