4 ms·
Anyone know why they can't get licensed in every city? Or is something preventing them form doing that, because licensing is inherently a way to protect old ca
by bh42222 15y ago
Anyone know why they can't get licensed in every city?
Or is something preventing them form doing that, because licensing is inherently a way to protect old cartels from new cheaper/better upstarts?
- uvdiv 15y agoTaxis are state-sanctioned cartels in many cities. The number of "licenses" (medallions) is capped to inflate the revenues of existing businesses. In San Francisco (where Uber's legal problems are), the quota is ~1,400, and there's a waiting list more than 10 years long to get a "license". http://www.medallionholders.com/medallions.html http://www.medallionholders.com/medallions.html (n.b. this is cartel-funded propaganda) http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-01-27/news/cabbies-cry-foul-over-plan-to-sell-medallions/ http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-01-27/news/cabbies-cry-foul-ove... It's exactly what it looks like: they've criminalized competition. You get prison for "stealing" business from union thugs.
- anigbrowl 15y agoThis cartel appears to be the product of a joint effort between the taxi corporations and the drivers union. I don't hear the cab firms arguing for greater competition or an increase in the number of taxis either.
- jdp23 15y agoYes, licensing requirements generally protect incumbents. In SF (and I assume other large cities) it's very political.