MORE UBER SCOOP The Uber look. The company's emphasis (as well as its press photography) is on real people getting real rides in real cars, with both rider evaluations of drivers and driver evaluations of riders. Uber is often mistakenly called a "transportation company." It is not. Uber is a technology company. They do not own any cars. They do not hire drivers. Taylor Bennet from Uber corporate (via email interview) explains it this way: "All Uber driver partners are independent contractors who use the Uber app to connect with riders. These drivers are small business owners who set their own schedules and enjoy the flexibility of being an entrepreneur." The distinction is important, lest Uber be legally bound to transportation laws that are not appropriate to their rideshare model. Earlier this year, Virginia passed a new set of uniform laws and regulations specific to Uber and Lyft, the two rideshare companies currently operat- Read On 44 | JULY/AUGUST 2015 TheRoanoker.com