[bring1]

we have that already, the layer is called "money" you can give people rides and be compensated in the "money points (usually US dollar). Later you can use this points to recieve rides yourself by others. great thing is that you can use those points for many goods and services and not only for rides.

[DanBC]

Accepting money to provide transport to random members of the public is something explicitly covered by laws in many countries: you can only do it when you've been regulated.

It's also explicity forbidden by most insurance policies.

[downandout]

After the 20% they pay to Uber, and income taxes on the money earned from Uber, they would wind up with half of the miles they had earned through this "money" layer. With this, they get full value for each mile. Additionally, Uber is restricted from entering into many markets (example: their failed entry into Nevada, where one of the largest tourist markets on earth is located). With free - as in no money changing hands - rides, presumably the app would be allowed everywhere.

[pdabbadabba]

You don't need money to change hands for a transaction to be taxable. The sort of barter-based system you describe would also (in theory) be taxed. The only difference is that tax enforcement would be much more difficult under your system.

That would work well for a while, but if your service got really big, and became a target for enforcement, you (or your users) might have serious tax problems.

[damian2000]

Uber is popular even though there's taxis because people want to use an awesome looking app with ratings and GPS tracking.

[Fourkeys]

In London it is popular because it is the cheapest form of taxi and in many cases quite significantly without sacrificing any convenience and in many cases adding much more convenience.