[mikehawkins]

Good point... a key problem though is self-inflicted. Taxi driver unions have a vested interest in keeping the number of licenses in operation low (so keeping rates high). That only pushes the value of each license up - and you have to spend thousands to buy someone else's license.

Same thing used to happen in NYC - but with the onset of Uber, the value of licenses (which were steadily climbing) has flatlined or even dropped.

It's unfortunate for the last set of drivers with these licenses, but it's a horrible way to run a much-needed service.

Insurance, training - absolutely. But forcing investment in super expensive legacy licenses is very inefficient.