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Companies like Uber and Lyft operating without as stringent regulation as regular taxi companies is their main competitive advantage (AirBnB is in the same grou
by rescripting 12y ago
Companies like Uber and Lyft operating without as stringent regulation as regular taxi companies is their main competitive advantage (AirBnB is in the same group).
Taxi drivers have lobbied for years to build up the kind of economic protections they have from disappearing margins in a competitive marketplace, and consequently being a taxi driver meant you could make a middle class living without tortuous hours.
Uber comes along and operates without the limitations of those protections and drivers earn less. Ultimately without intervention it puts a whole industry of people on a trajectory towards poverty, and this is before we even get to self driving cars.
What are we going to do with everyone who gets forced out of their middle class jobs?
- brianbreslin 12y agoI would argue that it has been a long time in the USA since a taxi driver could earn a middle class income driving. Medallion fees basically make them indentured servants.
- paulhauggis 12y agoIf that's the case, why would anyone do this by choice? You could just work for McDonalds and make just as much money for less effort.
- Spooky23 12y agoTaxi drivers are usually contractors, so it's easier to get a job (sometimes as a sub) and its easy to avoid taxes. Think of it as a waiter job without the need to communicate well. Also, because of the off/hours nature, it's a good second job. Because you have networks of contractors, you can lever social ties to get a job... This is especially important for immigrant communities.
- Cowboy_X 12y agoPlease spend an hour in traffic, and then an hour In your kitchen -- cooking for a hundred people -- and tell me what is less work.