Nobody is paying me, but I fail to see how this is any more crony capitalism than the taxi companies holding an industry monopoly. THAT is crony capitalism. They went to government many decades ago and asked for and received a monopoly. Here in Fairbanks, two companies own pretty much all the taxi companies and getting a medallion prices most people out of the market. 

Private contractors signing up for a ride-sharing service that people voluntarily use in place of taxis is competition to the crony capitalists.

It is leading to less monopoly. Just explaining the economics here.