Taxis everywhere are expensive due to constricted supply and are often unreliable.

Man I could tell some stories about that.

> They will drive to your location, pick you up, and take you anywhere you want to go.

The corrected version of this is "they will drive to your location some time within the next 24 hours, pick you up if you want to go to the places they want to go, and maybe accept payment in credit card".

Go on. Ask a brown person who lives by Lake Merced what it's like to try to get a taxi there from downtown.

Also, to be clear, I don't have a problem with this. I think you should have a right to transport whomsoever you desire if you can reach a consensual agreement.

But I don't think it's consensual if you ban the alternative.

If you live too out of the way, the taxi you called might never come.

> what's the informative version of this comment

Called out! But you're right, I should have been more specific.

I think it was covered well below: They are never around and have a low chance of coming if you call one, even if they say they are on the way.

Probably the most informative source

https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/Draft%20ManagingTa...

In Ireland, Uber has never been allowed. Taxis are pretty good. We use an app called "Free Now" (Previously "MyTaxi", previously "Hailo") where we can book a taxi and pay through the app. It's more expensive than Uber but it's regulated so always feels pretty safe.

We also have some strict laws like a taxi must produce a receipt if you request one etc