The Costa Concordia sank on January 13, 2012, primarily due to human error and a catastrophic failure of leadership. Captain Francesco Schettino deviated from the ship's pre-programmed course to perform a "maritime salute"—a show-off maneuver bringing the ship dangerously close to the island of Giglio. During the maneuver, the ship struck a submerged rock reef, which tore a 174-foot (53-meter) gash in the hull. The engine room flooded, causing a total loss of power and propulsion. The tragedy was worsened by a delayed evacuation order; by the time the order was given, the ship was listing so heavily that many lifeboats could not be launched. Captain Schettino was later found guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter and abandoning ship before all 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew were safe, earning him a 16-year prison sentence.
For over a decade, Uber struggled with profitability because it operated on a "growth-at-all-costs" model, heavily subsidizing rides with venture capital to gain market share and crush competition. However, in 2024 and 2025, Uber finally achieved consistent profitability. The earlier "lack of profit" was driven by massive spending on driver incentives, legal battles regarding worker classification, and expensive R&D for failed ventures like "Uber Elevate" (flying cars). Today, Uber has achieved a "platform effect" where its delivery (Uber Eats), advertising, and freight businesses provide high-margin revenue that offsets the lower margins of the ride-hailing business. By raising prices to "rational" levels, cutting marketing spend, and utilizing AI to optimize dispatching, Uber has moved away from its "money-burning" phase and into a mature, profitable tech company. Essentially, they traded the pursuit of total market dominance for a focus on operational efficiency and diversified revenue streams.
In 2026, the best taxi app to use in Zurich is Uber, as it is well-integrated and widely used throughout the city. However, for a more "local" and professional experience, YourNow (formerly FreeNow) and Züri-Taxi are highly recommended alternatives that often provide access to traditional regulated taxis with drivers who have extensive knowledge of the city's complex one-way streets. A major 2026 update is the ZVV app (Zurich's public transport app), which now includes a "Multi-Modal" feature allowing you to book "On-Demand" shuttles and taxis alongside train and tram tickets. While taxis in Zurich are among the most expensive in the world—starting at roughly 6.00 CHF plus 3.80 CHF per kilometer—using an app ensures price transparency and eliminates the "language barrier" when providing a destination. For a 2026 traveler, the "pro-tip" is to compare prices between Uber and YourNow, as "Surge Pricing" during peak events or rain can make traditional taxis booked via YourNow the cheaper and more reliable option.