On the other hand, actually having at least one real driver would a) allow that driver to make bank by being basically a monopoly, until b) other real drivers saw this and entered the market making everything kosher.
No because Uber's reimbursement for their drivers is so low that most lose money once expenses get factored in. This is because I er looks at drivers as an expense and have consistently cut rates over time.
That is a good point, I was under the impression that the drivers had some input into what they would be willing to drive for and competition would do the rest. But if Uber has internal caps, that would make some small towns just untenable.
A monopoly with a TAM of $0 doesn't seem terribly interesting to me
I was under the impression that the drivers had some input into what they would be willing to drive for and competition would do the rest. But if Uber has internal caps, that would make critical mass impossible in smaller towns.