> I in general don't think we need specialist drivers or so called taxi to exist unless for niche crowds. It seems a lot more optimal if most people can go in and out when they want and do it. This must be cheaper and optimal due to scale and algorithms ability to select fitting driver's from a huge pool.

Cars are idle 99% of the time because individuals who just wanna jump in and make a few extra bucks are at work during the day. I don't think Uber even pretends to have an ad-hoc fleet of anything other than professional drivers.

> One thing unnoted is though future potential for self driving transport.

That'll be so much worse for Uber. At best, if they deliver it first, they'll see a temporary first-mover advantage. Then every other automaker in the world will jump into the fray, and likely individuals won't own cars at all and it'll be either more commoditized (or less so) depending on what kind of ride people want.

The automakers may even cut Uber out -- why sell to their competition? I don't think it's a margin improvement play but an existential threat.