[simias]

Yeah, I'm basically on the same page as you. I can't say I really enjoy using taxis in Paris (although I don't have any nightmare stories like other people in this thread, mostly minor annoyances like refusing to take credit cards and some general rudeness).

On the other hand having services like uber breaking regulations might end up making taxis less safe and with a worse quality of service down the line as prices keep plunging due to the heavy unregulated competition.

I think the right move would be to open the market while still heavily regulating them but I don't know how the government can convince the taxi drivers to accept that since it would mean losing their super expensive license. I suppose the government could buy the licenses itself but that would be heinously expensive (and as a tax payer I can't say I would really like that).

I really wish the government wouldn't have allowed for this license market to exist in the first place, it was obviously going to create a cartel.

[ork]

The taxis unions threaten the government with strikes and airport blockades every time the topic of opening the licenses comes to the table. The mafia is strong.