I feel like this is cyclical.

Government steps in with common-sense safety/destination regulations, requires cab drivers to be certified. All good. Then, these cab companies who have by necessity acquired some competence in lobbying start getting some rules in to benefit them, creating a cumbersome, crappy situation ripe for disruption.

Enter Uber. After they've had some success, the government will step in with some basic, common-sense safety/destination regulations...