Snow removal via the Uber model

smstonypoint · Jan 17, 2016

An interesting article about on-demand snow removal: Snow removal industry beginning to see shift to Uber model of on-demand services - AccuWeather.com

davesl708 · Jan 17, 2016

Not sure that will be viable. Anyone with a car can do Uber cab service but there is a limited number of private snow plows. On demand would be hard to meet timely.

tcartwri · Jan 17, 2016

Everyone would want their laneways plowed at the same instant in time.

LD1 · Jan 17, 2016

Might be nice for a contractor just getting started, or looking to get more time in. But I cant consider anything else til the current stuff gets done.

Then how do they handle complaints?

FatTire · Jan 17, 2016

We use a lower tech scheme here. Neighbor calls and says they want to get into their cabin next week, and asks for a snow report. If they need plowed, we decide which day. Then I plow or blow it, depending on conditions. Maybe some day an "Uber" plow service will show up. I might make some good money getting their pickup unstuck.

Industrial Toys · Jan 17, 2016

I saw this on the news. Seems like a great idea, and yet one that will really pisss off the contract snow guys. Yet another game-changer on account of technology.

skyhook · Jan 18, 2016

tcartwri said:
Everyone would want their laneways plowed at the same instant in time.

"on demand" doesn't necessarily mean, immediately, you have to wait like the rest of them, you simply give them a specified time, "like within the hour" etc. I like the idea.:thumbsup:

RoyJackson · Jan 18, 2016

I think this has a good chance of success in urban areas...not so good in outer suburbs and rural areas.

CurlyDave · Jan 18, 2016

davesl708 said:
Not sure that will be viable. Anyone with a car can do Uber cab service but there is a limited number of private snow plows. On demand would be hard to meet timely.

One of the features of UBER is "surge pricing". People who are willing to pay more for faster service can get it, price sensitive customers can select a budget-friendly schedule.

This is not a popular concept with many people, but has sound economic principles at its core.

aczlan · Jan 18, 2016

RoyJackson said:
I think this has a good chance of success in urban areas...not so good in outer suburbs and rural areas.

The problem would be accurately measuring your driveway so as to get an accurate number on how long it will take. Easy to do with a townhome, not so easy with a 1/2 mile winding driveway.

Aaron Z