In Taiwan, where legislators are in the process of enacting regulations that would essentially force ride-sharing platforms such as Uber to leave — something the taxi industry has sought since Uber entered the market. As Joe Kennedy writes in the Taipei Times, policymakers should allow them to compete. Rather than handicapping Uber, the correct response would be to eliminate the unnecessary regulations that gave Uber a market opportunity in the first place. Allow cabs to switch to dynamic pricing, so that riders do not have to wait as long on busy days. Use up-front pricing so riders know what the cost will be before they step in a cab. Let riders order and pay for a cab by phone and give drivers more flexibility in their schedule. Without reforms, the ultimate losers will be Taiwanese consumers.
