[gnrme]

Regulation protects customers and workers. It ensure travellers don't get over charged compared to other forms of public transport, it makes sure the driver isn't a criminal, it ensures the vehicle is within certain standards, it prevents a free-for-all that would push the driver's income below reasonable levels.

I like the libertarian/wild west mindset of the internet. It doesn't however lend itself to integrated public transport systems - of which, private hire taxis are a part.

Plus, it is replacing local businesses with a multinational that will probably send its profits to an island (like lots of other technology companies), rather than contributing to local economies. I think it is the next Groupon though, so at some point it may pop.