[onebaddude]

>the taxi industry is "heavily regulated" for the benefit of the customer

I get your point, but people decry the regulation that Uber is fighting against...until Uber implements free market "surge pricing". Then people are more than happy to leap back into the yellow cabs, which have their price regulated. Just read through some of the fallout.

In other words, all the free market vs regulation talk is lip service. People want what's best for themselves.

[spindritf]

until Uber implements free market "surge pricing". Then people are more than happy to leap back into the yellow cabs, which have their price regulated

That is assuming they can find one. Surge pricing incentivizes drivers to actually show up and compensates them for tougher conditions and additional risk.

[onebaddude]

>Surge pricing incentivizes drivers to actually show up and compensates them for tougher conditions and additional risk.

I get it, and I believe it's well within their right, and also an interesting strategy. I'm not really knocking Uber, I'm knocking some of its supporters.

Again, read through some of the comments on mainstream articles regarding the surge price kerfuffle. Filled with people saying, "Suck it Uber and your dynamic pricing! I took a regular taxi!" Meaning, they'll support the unregulated market, as long as it's cheaper.

People want more de-regulation, but fail to see the seemingly "good" that comes from regulation; in this case, predictable pricing when you're trying to get somewhere.

[jacalata]

Do you have any numbers or stories showing that extra drivers begin working when surge pricing comes into effect at uber?