So yet again, America tries its own specific brand of something, yet again with minimal meaningful regulation, watch it turn to shit when the "market" acts on profit goals alone, and then claim it's a terrible idea that can never work.

This brings us to: health care, banking, mobile phone networks, electoral systems, and now taxis.

Meanwhile the civilised world has regulated taxi systems that work, where you know what you'll pay, regardless of what's going on, and you don't have a company with a penchant for being shit lords knowing every trip you make, and doing shit like charging you more because your phone battery is low.

> surge pricing happens to control the demand.

Are you delusional? Increased wait times would be sufficient for that, and would make sense: yes we can take you but there is a queue. Those who don't want to wait will find alternatives, and the demand reduces.

> when i need a ride and cant get one because the comic con happens and a million teenage weebs need a ride, i like having the option of getting one guaranteed - at a higher rate.

But it isn't just "an option" it's the only option.

Edit: clarified