Crunching the numbers for NYE: Uber or taxi?

FORT MYERS – A lot of people in Southwest Florida might choose to give Uber a try this New Year’s Eve. The new taxi service just started in Fort Myers and Naples. WINK News crunched the numbers to see if this so-called low-cost service will really save customers money.

It’s all about supply and demand. On one of the busiest party day’s of the year, you can bet a lot of people will be hailing cabs.

“We’re going to drink like everybody else does on new year’s eve,” said Southwest Florida tourist Darron Desroches. He says he uses Uber all the time.

“I travel around the country and I use it a lot of places I go.”

Desroches says he finds Uber is normally more expensive than standard taxis.

“It’s usually more money,” he said. “They have little ways that they increase the price during rush hour times they charge more.”

According to reps at the company, rates increase with demand. WINK News did some research; If a person chooses Uber on New Year’s Eve, rates could be unpredictable between the peak hours of 12:30 am and 2:00 am. Outside those hours, rates will likely be lower.

Neal Direnzo with “A Better Taxi” service says Uber sometimes beats their rates.

“In airport rates, we’ve actually beat them almost anywhere in Lee County other than within a five mile radius of the airport,” he said.

However, Direnzo also noted something you can get with a local taxi company that you can’t get with Uber on a night like New Year’s Eve is a steady rate.

“If our rate is $3.55 to get in and $2.00 a mile, it’ll be $3.55 to get in and $2.00 a mile all night long,” he said.

Still, some say paying a little extra for convenience with Uber is worth it.

“Some people won’t have the patience, probably,” said Alexander Sandrey, a new Fort Myers resident.”

Darron Desroches said, “People pay more for the service.”