Uber in Waterloo Region

[ookpik]

Until the insurance and regulatory aspects are sorted out, I'm inclined to favour the local cartels over a massive U.S. corporate interest.

The issue isn't that Uber is a "massive U.S. corporate interest" (your term) but rather that Uber is a disruptive technology that threatens the local cartels and their status quo. By all means ensure that Uber's drivers and vehicles meet insurance and regulatory standards as a condition of operating in the region.

Incidentally I recently renewed my car insurance. The insurer explicitly asked if any of my driving is for remuneration. Not that I was contemplating becoming an Uber driver, but evidently they were anticipating the possibility and wanted to make sure I understood it wouldn't be covered by their policy. 

Moreover license holders are complicit in this monopoly, lobbying hard for limiting the number of licenses well below what is reasonable. I understand NY and Toronto could easily double the number of medallions/licenses and still be underserved.

By all means let the number of taxi licenses increase to support demand. My point is that we shouldn't let the interests of current license holders and other vested interests impede the need for change, better service and lower costs. If the incumbents can meet that challenge with a superior business model to Uber's then let them do it.