If their knowledge is of any value to consumers, consumers are going to choose them over Uber. If not, then nobody should care. I can learn how to program stuff for MSDOS, doesn't mean it'd be worth anything these days.
As for regulations and licensing, it shouldn't exist in the first place as it only raises prices and prevents legitimate competition.
Their knowledge is quite valuable in London (mini-cabs blindly follow the sat-nav and so will sit in traffic for longer, in my experience). Also, black cabs can often make use of bus lanes (of which there are many in London) which can actually result in a quicker, cheaper journey. Perhaps the LTDA should be promoting the benefits of black cabs rather than causing a traffic jam.
To what end? Anyone with a car can start their own taxi service?
I don't think it is in the public's interest to make taxi driving unprofitable which is what would likely happen without regulation and licensing.
Where I live anyone can be a cab. You raise your hand on any street any time of day and some car will stop. As a result, prices are normally 3 times lower compared to the US. You negotiate the price with drivers beforehand and you don't have to tip them because all of the money go directly into the driver's pocket. I've never heard anyone complain about this system. Now tell me how is this a bad idea?
Licensing is good for safety. Upkeep as part of safety is important, otherwise not. If they neglect to keep the car working they'll drop out of the market, no harm done. If they neglect to keep it pretty no harm is done.
My argument is that market should decide. If some people want cheap and unsafe, let them have it. If some people want expensive and licenced - let them have it too. In Europe and the US you currently have a situation where those who want a cheaper ride essentially subsidize those who value safety more. That is in no way fair.
Or maybe, just maybe, the people should decide instead of random companies who don’t pay taxes. And ‘the people’ usually decide by voting for their favourite MP who can then implement their wishes. Laws regarding regulation of taxis did not fall down one day and then were accepted as the god-given rights of taxi drivers but were implemented because the general population thought them to be a good thing™.
I just don't understand, how is it that in your mind voting is a better way to let consumers decide than actually giving them choice? Alright, let me stop right here. I know where this is going. You like state and regulations. I don't. I think each individual should decide on his own with his own money he spends or doesn't spend.
For those things you're talking about my parents paid their fair share of taxes, not me. You have to realize, it's parents who pay for their children's education and healthcare, not children themselves: this is true whether we're talking about public or private.
But even if you were right and indeed it is me who is supposed to be paying taxes now for my education in the past, then this sounds a lot like this:
- Here, have a free sandwich
- Ok, thanks
- You ate it? Now give me $10.
As for regulations and licensing, it shouldn't exist in the first place as it only raises prices and prevents legitimate competition.