[purple_ferret]

The OP says they can't be profitable and you're saying they're too profitable at the rider's expense.

Which is it?

[manfredo]

Taxis are subject to the medallion system where municipalities deliberately limit the number of taxis that can operate. This certainly increases prices for consumers. If Uber and Lyft aren't profitable the they run the possibility of going out of business.

The former is a definite harm to consumers. The latter is a possibility of loss for investors.

[strbean]

The OP says ridesharing can't be profitable, parent says taxis are too expensive. These are statements are not inconsistent with one another.