[ilanco]

Uber has hugely optimized the way I get from place to place. The only thing I need is a phone and there is no messing around with cash. While I don't agree with all their policies (like a 30% tax on drivers), their user experience is several orders of magnitude better than a normal Taxi. I'm currently in Costa Rica and the drivers are always friendly and courteous. They usually have new(er) cars and are happy to offer you some candy or change the radio station to your liking. None of that has ever happened in a Taxi. In the long run, Uber's business model is to get rid of the drivers and operate self-driving cars. I think we are close to that day, they just need to survive until then.