Uber prices soar during hours of “high demand” such as game days, big events, and late at night.
Axle (Focus): The alternative to taxi services, Uber, is a somewhat new addition to State College transportation. The service makes getting a ride easy and makes payment simple through their app. Their website claims that Uber’s fares are “usually cheaper than a taxi”, keyword: usually. Users that frequent Uber may have noticed just how much rates go up during times of high demand. For example, a ride that usually costs six dollars may be anywhere up to 26 dollars during high demand times.
The Riders: Uber drivers, taxi drivers (competition), those who use Uber during high demand times, and those who have stuck to getting taxis over an Uber.
The Spokes: The story would focus on those who have experienced this uprising in prices and their thoughts and feedback on it. I would also get commentary from those who have stuck to taxis in order to get a different point of view.
Beginning: The story would begin with a stand up from a reporter talking about the price raise of an Uber on game days and during the late hours of the night. The package would then transition to B-roll of an Uber car and passengers getting into an Uber with a voice over of the statistics of Uber fares during normal hours vs. high demand hours. Then the reporter would introduce the person being interviewed in the voice over with more B-roll of the GPS on an Uber driver’s cell phone and a still shot of a text message a passenger received signaling them to come outside and get into their Uber.
Middle: The package would then show an interview of an Uber driver explaining why the rates go up and the benefits of this. Then the package would switch to a passenger after they have gotten out of their Uber. The reporter would ask the passenger to check their email, at which time they will have gotten a confirmation of their payment to Uber. Then the reporter will get a good reaction shot from the passenger and their feedback on the high price. The next interviewee would be someone who has just taken a cab. The reporter will ask that person how much their payment was, and then compare that to the Uber.
End: The reporter will end with a stand up warning viewers to be aware of high demand times for Uber. Then the reporter will say that it might be cheaper for those looking for a ride home to get a cab, that way they can dictate how generous of a tip they would want to leave their cab driver.