Summary: How Do Taxis/Limos Relate to the Gig Economy?

[DeliveryCats]

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Going forward, taxicabs and limousines (T/L) are VERY important to the gig economy.

• Guidance from their history
• Including taxis/limos fairly in a network of local co-ops
• Controversy in NYC: Yellow Cabs and Uber

Throughout this summary links will point to the posts that explore that issue in detail.



Guidance From Their History

There’s a forum to explore some of the more interesting and relevant parts of T/L history. (Give it a look, if T/L are your thing. You won’t be disappointed.)

Broadly, the key lessons we can take away from T/L history:

• Personal transportation “for hire” has been around since horse-drawn coaches
• Personal transportation “for hire” will continue to grow with population
• No single solution fits all dynamics
• Labor issues are a constant problem
• Discrimination is an ongoing problem
• Customers can be wonderful or dangerous



Including Taxis/Limos Fairly in a Network of Local Co-ops

Our brothers/sisters in taxicabs and limousines aren’t our competition. If they are drivers in the geographic area, ideally they would be welcome to join a local cooperative. Isn’t that the whole point?

The situation becomes murky when considering taxicab and limousine fleet companies. They are in the business of being middle-men. This is something the forums will discuss.



Yellow Cabs and Uber

In 2021, Uber announced a partnership with Yellow Cabs in NYC.

Media reports show mixed opinions. Because our project founders are not part of an urban market, we’ll spectate and report back.



Going Forward

Let’s learn from history and also remember to not exclude traditional personal transportation drivers.

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