The not-a-taxi company's price structure is perverse. During non-surge times, the fare received barely covers the driver's costs. When the mileage to get to the pickup address is included in the calculation, all those drivers are basically working for free.

I've met a few 'ride share' drivers who only go out during the times they can expect to get a surge fare. One of them had graduated from an engineering program, and lived in Pittsburgh...