IL: What Happens if Uber or Lyft Outcompetes Public Transit?

The brief history of tech-enabled ridesharing is not really a story about transportation, but a story of clashes with regulators. Uber and Lyft vs. cities and courts.

Municipalities have tried to ban ridesharing companies, but have mostly given up. Courts have disagreed on whether the companies' drivers should count as contractors or employees. More fights are ahead.

Ridesharing's growth was first seen as cannibalizing demand for taxis or rental cars, but the next strategy for growth appears to be competing directly with public transit. Consider Lyft Shuttle, which started last month. It offers fixed-route, fixed-price pooled service — just like a bus. It's tailored toward urban professionals who commute to job centers. (Service is available only in San Francisco and Chicago right now.)

Read the full article at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-uber-lyft-public-transit-20170721-story.html