I live in Vegas, and just spent six glorious (?) months in DC, enjoying the humidity over the summer (bit of sarcasm). I was working on a project in downtown DC, that involved over 100+ hrs/week, so the bus and metro schedules weren't very accommodating...thankfully, Uber was a plentiful and inexpensive alternative, and I know for a fact I couldn't have done the project with those hours had Uber not existed. Uber is extremely competitive in DC, they undercut Lyft by close to 1/3. I'm really grateful to Uber for filling a void, at a very reasonable cost.

I had not used Uber prior to leaving Vegas for this project, so when I returned, I found myself in a couple of situations where I naturally reached for my Smartphone. Uber IS cheaper than a taxi, but my gawd, how quickly I forgot how elevated the taxi rates are in Vegas. Although Uber is cheaper, it would never serve as a real alternative for me as it did in DC. Am I suppose to feel good that Uber is a cheaper option than a Las Vegas taxi?

Just a reminder how much Vegas is held hostage by the tourist industry, and a big fat finger pointed at the taxi cabs and the local government and airport that feeds off their income. What a travesty that the monorail was never extended to the airport, what a travesty that enterprising businesses like Uber, in a place like Vegas, are just one more peg servicing the tourists, and not providing any relief to those of us who live here who look for inexpensive transportation options.

DC has a lot to be grateful for, unfortunate that those who make Vegas their home, will never see anything similar. Being told that your ride costs less than a taxi, is little solace, when the price is so totally out of sync with other geographic areas that don't pay homage to the almighty tourist and the taxi related industry that services them.

What a wake up. I sorta miss DC already...