A neighbor of mine is a taxi driver. I can call the number on their cab (or their business card) and get them, specifically. I can also hail them if I see them on the street.

That seems like a far more legitimate "independent contractor" relationship than the one Uber sets up between drivers and riders.

You can do the same thing with Uber. The driver can just turn off the app and pick you up if you're nearby. Realistically it won't happen often, for the same reason that people didn't keep folders full of yellow cab business cards.

Well they probably can't because of the Taxi cartel. In most place, they need to be a licensed Taxi driver in a licensed Taxi car to be able to be hailed.

> That seems like a far more legitimate "independent contractor" relationship than the one Uber sets up between drivers and riders.

The relationship that Uber sets up between drivers and riders in NYC is exactly the same as the relationship that all FHV services in NYC set up between licensed drivers and riders. Uber operates as an FHV service, no differently from any other.

EDIT: Before downvoting, you may want to look up the facts here. In NYC, unlike some other cities, Uber and its drivers are licensed by the TLC. There is literally zero distinction between the operations of them from any other FHV service.

> Before downvoting, you may want to look up the facts here. In NYC, unlike some other cities, Uber and its drivers are licensed by the TLC.

If this ruling were limited to NYC, that'd be relevant.

> If this ruling were limited to NYC, that'd be relevant.

It would be relevant either way, but in this case it's a state department ruling on a case brought by a group of NYC drivers against Uber's operations in NYC.

So yes, it is actually totally fair to point out that Uber's role in this case is exactly the same as the role any other FHV company plays.