The rapid rise of Uber in SA is an object lesson on how a market-
driven economy operates, and how it will eventually play out despite overregulation, ignorance and violent opposition.
Uber certainly has disrupted the hailed-taxi market. It is, in the first and most important instance, more affordable than traditional metered taxis. As a result, it has increased the size of the market; people who would otherwise not have considered using public transport now happily hail a ride.