Originally Posted by
tandempower
Then why isn't someone running a taxi service when they pick up their mother-in-law and bring her to the dentist
Because when someone does that they are not providing a 'service for hire'. There is no contract, express or implied, to provide a service in return for compensation,
Why isn't it a taxi service to drive your children to school?
Because when someone does that they are not providing a 'service for hire'. There is no contract, express or implied, to provide a service in return for compensation.
Why isn't it a taxi service if you coordinate with your colleagues to carpool to work?
Because when someone does that they are not providing a 'service for hire'. There is no contract, express or implied, to provide a service in return for compensation. "Carpooling" is a voluntary arrangement between individuals, to trade off driving/car usage on alternate days, to the mutual benefit of all involved.
Why isn't hitch-hiking use of a taxi service?
Because when someone picks up a hitchhiker they are not providing a 'service for hire'. There is no contract, express or implied, to provide a service in return for compensation.
Why isn't it a taxi service if you offer to give someone who's been drinking a ride home and they give you 'a few bucks for gas?'
Because when someone does that they are not providing a 'service for hire'. There is no contract, express or implied, to provide a service in return for compensation. An offer to give 'a few bucks for gas' is in the nature of a gratuitous gesture, probably motivated by good will.
Why isn't it a taxi service when you drive a vehicle you own to give yourself a ride?
Don't be silly.
In other words, what exempts any and every driving trip from being defined as 'taxi service?'
See above examples.
Maybe defining and regulating 'taxi services' was and is just a subtle means of pushing everyone into buying and driving their own car because that's what makes the most money for dealers, mechanics, insurers, and everyone else who wants to use you for more money.
Nope; once again, no evidence -- at all -- has been adduced by you anywhere on here at any time to support your 'deep auto' economic theories.