If you’re arriving at an airport or other high traffic area, you will almost always get a better price and timelier service by simply jumping in a standard taxi. I’d say this has been the case for at least 6-9 months.
Also, we have a favorite taxi company we use to get to LAX. We make reservations a few days in advance, and they have always showed up on schedule.
IMO, Taxis would have long since died as an industry if it weren’t for governments propping them up artificially.
Taxi downstairs was $40 and was waiting for me to get in. Didn’t smell like vomit. But if it did, I’d roll down the window and remember I’m saving $110 for a 20 minute ride.
If your taxi is a monopoly using old cars, where card readers are “broken” and who don’t have apps - it’s your taxi that is broken, not the concept of taxi. Many US and European cities have bad taxis, but many also have good taxis.