Maybe there weren't e-hailing apps everywhere, but that's not so much better phoning for a taxi.

Tell me you've never phoned for a taxi without telling me you've never phoned for a taxi

Lmao, every single traditional taxi service I've ever used has had absolutely horrendous service. From rude to long waits (Hours...HOURS LONG) to intentionally driving longer routes if you weren't local (Since you wouldn't know otherwise). For awhile Uber was even cheaper than regular taxis.

Maybe they did toss aside taxi regulations, but it needed to be done, the taxi industry really needed some real competition.

Frankly, Uber could be twice as expensive than a regular taxi and I'll still choose it, I'm never going back to taxis