It'd be interesting to look at pricing by city. I bet they implement predatory pricing, i.e. undercut in small markets to crush competition, then raise prices.

Regardless in NYC Ubers tend to be about the same or more expensive during normal hours. And significantly more expensive during peak times. How much of the surge pricing goes towards the drivers pay? I'd wager margins are excellent for Uber during surge pricing.

There will come a day when each city will operate it's own system to facilitate app based taxis (will be on some standard protocol), and Uber a central entity out of SF won't be competitive or will be taxed out. Why let an entity extract X% of each ride out of its economy? Not worth it.