Transportation Network Companies and Taxis: The Case of Seattle is a modern economic case history and thorough analysis of the devastating impact of the transportation network company (TNC) industry (Uber and Lyft) on the taxicab industry in Seattle, Washington, beginning in 2014. The events that transpired and lessons learned are applicable to most large cities in North America, Europe and Australia.

As the regulator of the taxicab and TNC industries in Seattle during this period, the author offers a unique insider perspective. The book also provides internal operating statistics on the TNC industry, which are available here for the first time. Despite the spectacular growth of the TNC industry, growth rates have steadily declined and may fall to zero by 2019 or 2020, while the taxicab industry appears to have begun a modest recovery. This book offers a thorough explanation of how and why this decline has happened. It explains the taxicab industry, economic deregulation, competitive market failure, market disruption, price elasticity of demand and other concepts. There is also a wealth of data, computations and analysis for the specialized reader.

This book considers the past, present and future of the taxicab and TNC industries in Seattle, It is recommended for both the general reader and industry professionals.

About the Author

Craig A. Leisy was Manager of the Consumer Protection Unit for the City of Seattle for 22 years where he regulated the TNC, taxicab, limousine, and towing industries as well as weights and measures. He retired to a writing career in 2017.

Reviews

"Based upon many years of first-hand experience as a transportation regulator, Craig Leisy has written a comprehensive historic analysis of the Seattle taxicab and vehicle-for-hire industry. He has thoroughly documented the economic, social, political and logistical factors leading up to the takeover of the market by phone app based ride-hail companies, particularly Uber and Lyft. The Seattle story in this regard is strikingly similar to the stories of many other cities throughout North America and the world, making this book a compelling read." - Thomas M. Drischler, retired former Taxicab Regulator for the City of Los Angeles, USA (1999 - 2016) and past chair of the International Association of Transportation Regulators

Book Information
ISBN 9780367729653
Author Craig A. Leisy
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 580g