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by bsder
3671 days ago
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> If people didn't feel safe in Uber, they weren't forced to use it. Except that Uber is using venture capital money to subsidize rides to undercut the price of rides. That's great, until they drive the properly compliant ride services out of business and become their own monopoly. Keeping the ridesharing services market share fractured instead of monopoly is what really benefits the consumer. |
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Both Uber and AirBNB have been ruled illegal in Taiwan. Uber continues to operate and pays the fines of drivers and passengers when they are caught. If a driver is caught 5 times, their license is permanently revoked [1]
I like the idea of ride sharing apps, and I can respect Uber's attempts to try some civil disobedience. I don't think this investment will pan out for them. Taiwan just elected a new government that is even more focused on Taiwan-centric businesses than the last government. Uber would need to generate a lot of public support to become an exception. I don't see that happening. I see VC money flowing in and staying here. And like Austin, a legal competitor will pop up eventually with services that satisfy the public enough that they forget about Uber.
I could be wrong. It seems to me Uber doesn't have much left up its sleeves. They seem primed to accept that there are many viable competitors.
[1] http://international.thenewslens.com/article/36548