The Taxi Industry: A Data-Driven Destruction of Dignified Work?

The Taxi Industry: A Data-Driven Destruction of Dignified Work?

Author: Gareth King March 21, 2026 Duration: 32:55

The internet promised to revolutionise how we get around, delivering a modern, efficient, and affordable break from the old ways. But did the revolution simply bring an unstable, exploitative gig economy, offering the illusion of flexibility with almost zero protections?

Helping us look at how technology disrupted taxis is Rod Barton, a former Victorian Member of Parliament and founder of the Transport Matters Party.

⁠https://rodbarton.com.au⁠

⁠https://linkedin.com/in/rod-barton⁠

⁠https://facebook.com/RodBarton08⁠

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Rod joins us to explore the impact of the internet on the Victorian taxi industry and the wider gig economy, the challenges faced by traditional taxi services as they compete with rideshare apps, the regulatory environment, and safety concerns in rideshare services.

We also look at the rights of gig economy workers, the need for better protections, and the importance of government regulation in ensuring fair practices in the taxi industry and beyond.

00:00 The Impact of the Internet on the Taxi Industry

03:01 The Taxi Industry Before Uber

05:52 Regulations and Challenges in the Taxi Industry

08:57 Safety and Insurance in Rideshare Services

12:13 The Gig Economy and Worker Rights

15:05 Customer Service in the Age of Rideshare

17:50 The Future of the Gig Economy

21:00 The Role of Government in Regulating the Industry

23:55 The Path Forward for Taxi and Rideshare Services

taxi industry, rideshare, Uber, gig economy, worker rights, exploitation, regulations, ridesharing, customer service, government policy, transport industry, class action


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
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