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by cccc4alll 1943 days ago
Uber and Lyft reworked the medallion system into mobile apps.

Instead of a physical medallion bolted on the car, it's a verified driver ID and rating in Uber/Lyft app.

Uber/Lyft are now collecting what the medallion owners were collecting previously from the drivers.

The apps are more convenient for riders and there are more efficiencies in the routes. But, it's still the same system. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

1 comments

that not a good analogy or apt at all. The medallion system was basically a local monopoly or like a guild that only allowed themselves to say make candles in the city. It really didn't make any sense whether with uber or not why the cities should be restricting or handing out the medallions in the first place.

Sure perhaps there could have been a national taxi license like how truck drivers receive it if one is talking about safety and other regulations but per city never made any sense beyond rent-seeking by both the city and the taxi companies