Car2Go + DriverlessCar + Uber - Better than mass transit someday?

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Austin97

Im for minimal government regulation, but cabs seem to be a good case for regulation. Cabs are mostly used by out of town visitors who cant do the research or dont know the ins and outs of who to trust. If you are in a car and they have your luggage they can easily extort you. What are you going to do?

In some countries unlicensed cab drivers will kidnap you and most will cheat you at least a little. Cabs have cheated me the most of any vendors while traveling. New york, LA, las vegas. Internationally manila is the worst.

Unlicensed drivers also become a huge nuisance. In some airports around the world visitors are constantly harangued by drivers trying to get a fare.

Licenses don't stop anyone from extorting you or kidnapping you or haranguing you.

And you can stop haranguing without having cab regulations.

Nothing you listed is controlled by regulating who can have a cab and how much they can charge. Regulation just let's the government pick winners and losers.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

After taking bandit taxis in the developing world I would have to disagree. What was 'fifteen' when you entered the cab suddenly becomes 'fifty' when you reach your destination.

Regulation doesn't stop that. Using your logic, we should have the government set the price of a haircut and thousands of other services.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

So while I support the innovation and disruption Uber and Lyft represent, I can also relate to the unfair playing field that the regulated industry they are disrupting complains about. It is in fact NOT a fair playing field.

Steve

This is true. So let's remove government chosen winners and losers and government pricing and let the market decide who can run a cab and how many cabs are needed and what an appropriate price is. Then the playing field would be more fair.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Paddy the Plasterer

I think you are mixing up two things here. Regulation of taxis for public safety, and making it easier to have more taxi licences.
I'm in favour of both. I want the government to implement and enforce certain standards that taxi cabs have to abide by, regarding pricing, safety of vehicle, knowledge of the city bu the driver (though with modern GPS, this is less of an issue) and carry adequate insurance.
However I also think there shouldn't be a limit on the number of taxi licenses.

Why should the government tell you what a taxi ride is worth? I certainly don't need that help from the government. There are many times I would pay extra to get faster access to a ride.

And why should the government tell you what level of safety is appropriate for you?

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

Regulation doesn't stop that. Using your logic, we should have the government set the price of a haircut and thousands of other services.

You know, you probably should pick an example that doesn't require licensing and mandatory schooling.

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbers/barberfaq.htm

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Novacek

You know, you probably should pick an example that doesn't require licensing and mandatory schooling.

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbers/barberfaq.htm

But haircuts are not priced by government. The point was pricing, not licensing.

And frankly, you should not have to have a licence to cut hair. That is a "protect the incumbents" process. Licensing does not guarantee you a good haircut. I've had lots of bad haircuts from a licensed barber.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

Licensing does not guarantee you a good haircut. I've had lots of bad haircuts from a licensed barber.

The licensing isn't about preventing a bad haircut. It's about preventing you from getting an infection.

It's about safety. Just like (at least the claim of) cab licensing.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Novacek

The licensing isn't about preventing a bad haircut. It's about preventing you from getting an infection.

It's about safety. Just like (at least the claim of) cab licensing.

Licensing never prevented anybody from getting an infection.