I'd say that among people who take cabs, not necessarily wealthy, Uber is growing fantastically in some markets. Here in DC - almost everyone I know prefers and uses Uber now.
"DCTC passed a new set of regulations which bans mid-sized, fuel-efficient vehicles from being hired, as well as places color restrictions on those cars."
UberX is under attack in DC. The Limo/livery (black car and SUVs) businesses is now well protected by DC law and the definitions passed earlier this year. The DCTC rules will classify the UberX hybrid vehicles as Sedans and subject to the new rules. However, Uber has secured enough allies in the DC Council, including the DC Transportation CMTE Chair.
I've watched this fight play out a few times now, and I think the worst case scenario is no UberX through the end of 2013 prior to the next set of DCTC rule-making or council intervention. Uber rightly gins everyone up in DC about these issues, but the truth is they've done a great job in this market attracting the right allies and have been consistently winning their battles.
