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Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

nytimes.com

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Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#2
so can anyone speak to what it entails to gain a taxi license? is this a burdensome requirement on those who want to drive? I have no issue with requiring specific insurance as anyone driving for any ride share service is just risking too much without proper coverage.

in the US far too much occupational regulation/licensing only serves now to protect current providers effectively locking out or deterring competition.

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#4
post #3

Hurray.

Unless you own taxi medallions, I don't really see much cause for celebration. Unnecessary regulation is unnecessary.

Edit: due to aggressive rate limiting on HN's part, I'm not able to respond to those who have chosen to reply rather than downvote. What I'd say in such a reply is this: despite all of the advantages of regulated taxi services that people are citing, rideshare services are still winning in the marketplace. Have you ever thought about possible reasons for that?

Clearly people aren't being forced to use Uber, and just as clearly, they shouldn't be forced not to.

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#5
post #2

so can anyone speak to what it entails to gain a taxi license? is this a burdensome requirement on those who want to drive? I have no issue with requiring specific insurance as anyone driving for any ride share service is just risking too much without proper coverage. in the US far too much occupational regulation/licensing only serves now to protect current providers effectively locking out or deterring competition.

Depends on the country probably but it can include things like:

- Holding a regular driving license for n years

- First aid training

- Taxi specific theory/practical driving test

- Passing extra vehicle tests (I know where I'm from they used to require taxis to be fitted with small fire extinguishers for example).

- Background check

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#6
post #2

so can anyone speak to what it entails to gain a taxi license? is this a burdensome requirement on those who want to drive? I have no issue with requiring specific insurance as anyone driving for any ride share service is just risking too much without proper coverage. in the US far too much occupational regulation/licensing only serves now to protect current providers effectively locking out or deterring competition.

Depends massively between EU states.

Some it's relatively easy [edit: to operate as a "taxi" in a general sense, rather than the legal term], such as in the UK (pass a prolonged driving test, have commercial insurance, review of any criminal record as to whether they pose a threat to the public, though there's some variety between councils who are the licensing body especially when it comes to vehicles and equipment), others it's as bad (and expensive) as I understand many US cities to be like.

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#7
post #3

Hurray.

Unless you own taxi medallions, I don't really see much cause for celebration. Unnecessary regulation is unnecessary. Edit: due to aggressive rate limiting on HN's part, I'm not able to respond to those who have chosen to reply rather than downvote. What I'd say in such a reply is this: despite all of the advantages of regulated taxi services that people are citing, rideshare services are still winning in the marketp…

well it means I might not have to pay as much tax if these loopholes avoiding the companies side of the social bargain

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#8
post #3

Hurray.

Unless you own taxi medallions, I don't really see much cause for celebration. Unnecessary regulation is unnecessary. Edit: due to aggressive rate limiting on HN's part, I'm not able to respond to those who have chosen to reply rather than downvote. What I'd say in such a reply is this: despite all of the advantages of regulated taxi services that people are citing, rideshare services are still winning in the marketp…

In what way is Uber not a taxi service? How do you feel it differs to the end user?

Re: Uber Is Dealt a Fresh Blow in European Legal Case

#10
post #3

Hurray.

Unless you own taxi medallions, I don't really see much cause for celebration. Unnecessary regulation is unnecessary. Edit: due to aggressive rate limiting on HN's part, I'm not able to respond to those who have chosen to reply rather than downvote. What I'd say in such a reply is this: despite all of the advantages of regulated taxi services that people are citing, rideshare services are still winning in the marketp…

Taxi drivers in my European country are subject to some requirements that make a lot of sense and help keep people safe. I've user Uber a lot and it's great but anything to up the quality of drivers is good. I've been down one way streets multiple times in Uber's, I've been in multiple near-misses, I've never had these things happen to me in taxi's. Not all taxi drivers are great either but the even the bad ones are better than the average Uber driver.

Obviously this is all city specific but I think a valid counter point to the 'unnecessary regulation' argument at least where I live.

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