Why do suppose Bill DeBlasio wants to limit the growth of Uber in New York?

Well to start with DeBlasio is an idiot, second the other cabbies are funneling dollars his way.

New York used to be a pretty cool place, but it has noticeably turned to shit since he was elected mayor.

Bill de Blasio has tabled his plan to limit the number of new Uber vehicles in the city.

^ Same as my link. I would speculate that backing off a bit was not his idea, nor that he likes it.

This seems to be a case of politics making strange bedfellows. Cab companies don’t like Uber because it competes with them for fares. De Blasio doesn’t like Uber because it competes with his efforts to promote bicycling and public transportation. Basically, Uber is just out-competing everyone else and getting pushback from all sides for it.

I’m fascinated watching how a new concept based on software is encroaching on the centuries old business of vehicles for hire.

For better or worse, the current industry is highly regulated for passenger safety, limited competition, and honest transactions. Along comes an upstart idea that claims its business model doesn’t fall within the realm of existing rules and regulations, and as such, is rightfully seen as a serious threat to the status quo. In the States and internationally, taxi drivers are protesting; in Paris, protests have turned violent, with the drivers claiming economic terrorism.

Once again, the rate of development of modern technology has exceeded the ability of regulating agencies to keep pace, for example drones, driver-less cars, and internet privacy. It will take some time and experimenting for regulators to catch up. I’m not sure how effective taxi drivers’ protests will be, however the inevitable volume of consumer complaints will force legislators to become pro-active.

There’s tough times ahead for taxi drivers, so the sooner they acknowledge that a major transformation is occurring within their industry, the sooner they will be able to adapt to the new normal in order to make a living.