Taxi regulation is way out of date--Uber and other services like Lyft proved that it was in major need of an upgrade. I think the right question is as Mise put it, how do we adjust regulation to reflect the current reality of taxi services? Does Uber outcompete taxis because they are taking advantage of a crippled competitor, or is there something about how Uber actually provides its service that would still make it better, even if there was a level playing field?
I think something that also gets forgotten is Uber and the like also benefit from existing in the gray area of the law with regards to employment laws (drivers are treated like independent contractors). Taxi's do that too, but the area of the law is more well defined for them. So Uber really is reaping all kinds of benefits in multiple sectors of regulation that give it an edge above and beyond the actual service.
Personally, I do highly prefer the ease, quickness and "culture" I guess you could say of the Uber/Lyft service in most cities. It would be common place in SF, for example, for cabbies to just outright refuse to give you a ride somewhere because it was too far away from their preferred hot spots, or refuse credit card payment even if they could take it, stuff like that. Aside from the occasional
hammer beating, Uber and Lyft and so on are excellent at picking you up wherever you are quickly and getting you where you need to go.
I say most cities because there is one city where I think regular cabs still have a place: London. Basically the only city where I think that is true, due to their amazing knowledge of how to get around and their history and just how professional they all are.
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