Taxi companies and driver unions insist they provide safety and reliability. Appears there was an externality they need to account for.
With Uber/Lyft, I never have to worry about being stuck outside in the cold, drunk, waiting 60 minutes for a $30 taxi.
If you need to adjust it to appear profitable, then you are not profitable.
(Yes, I am aware that there are valid use-cases for EBITDA, but in general it is used as a way to avoid accounting for actual costs).
Might be off topic, but in downtown Chicago before/after work cabs (including tip) are often cheaper than Uber/Lyft (with no additional tip,) although they offer other conveniences (payment, tracking, can be "hailed" to anywhere, etc.) At less busy times ride sharing can still be a bit cheaper than a cab.
You look at the rate of drunk driving accidents before availability of Uber in Portland. You look at the rate of drunk driving accidents after. The second number is 62% less than the first.