Uber could pull out from NL, and not be missed, as the country is not super car dependent to start with. Taxi's (or uber like services) are rarely used here. People mostly walk, bike or take public transport.

As for the implosion of the gig economy, I doubt it too. We've had a neo-liberal gov for the last 12 years, and they've pushed the gig economy (successfully) within the boundaries of north western EU social democracy (Dutch: ZZP).

What we are witnessing here is the courts pushing back on companies abusing the system. They can't have it both ways; wanting flexible workers with those kinds of wages, with demanding 'contracts' akin to employee contracts.

> Other countries will follow the Netherlands ruling

Dozens of other jurisdictions seem to have ruled similar already, but for whatever reason, with limited change yet.

I'm not sure why not. Possibly stuck in various appeals, or maybe Uber made some other small change and waited to get sued again?

I think the competitive advantages of Uber will weaken with all these legal challenges. In NYC, as Uber prices increased dramatically after the pandemic began to wane, folks just starting catching cabs again. The cabs use ride hailing apps. I no longer care about the rating system or any of that. It is fine.

In Israel, we use Gett. It's fine.

And Gett is dependent on the taxi cartel, its excessive price, the black market of taxi medallions, etc. It's a nonsensical market and we're overdue a shared transport option. Good luck getting around on Saturday.

All because it's illegal to take money to transport someone from A to B without an exorbitant license for no specific reason.

When the city of Austin, TX added some minor regulations around ride share companies, Uber and Lyft left the city. About 24 hours later, ten new services started up. Shortly after that, Uber and Lyft came back.

But the quick startup time / ability for small startups to compete was likely due to being able to hire contractors vs "employing" the drivers.

Or Uber could start actually offering the service they claim to offer: providing a marketplace where independent freelance drivers can offer rides and people needing rides can buy them.