Taxis are state-sanctioned cartels in many cities. The number of "licenses" (medallions) is capped to inflate the revenues of existing businesses. In San Franci

Taxis 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.