I think the economics might work, as we already know he demand and the costs we should be able to ballpark the average hourly pay and simply switch to it.

It would alter the experience, probably for the better for the most part. The taxi drivers wouldn't be acting like a-holes on the roads since they wouldn't need to squeeze as much as miles in the workday. However, I'm sure that it would create a lot of unintended disruption too, that might be good and bad.

It might turn out that you can't find drivers for the job. AFAIK, this job is preferred by many people who need lots money fast or people who are between jobs, already having a job or people who wouldn't be able to get a proper job for one reason or another.

It can be tricky.

Off-topic, but can you check the booking.com thread again? Or perhaps give me your contact information?

Let me check

If it drives faster it uses more gas so it should be taken into account. Duration only based price would not take that into account. As a side effect it would be an incentive for drivers to drive slower. Would be a net win for the planet and for safety but maybe not for the customer :)

It's crazy because a lot of uber drivers don't make minimum wage. The money just isn't there

Citymapper tried this in London, but they had to shut it down.