But that doesn't mean Uber is losing money by offering it less. It costs the driver more to drive farther for less, Uber doesn't have a higher expense for a longer ride.

Is it really cheap as shit? I've taken cabs and Ubers around Seattle and never found that one is particularly more expensive.

I am aware they pay the drivers incentives, but I am not sure I agree about the Pool rides, do you have a source for that? There are plenty of sources out there which speak about how drivers dislike Pool rides and often turn them off or reject them because they make less money off them versus a normal fare. So I am not sure I believe that Uber gives the rider more, in fact I feel like Uber makes more because now they are collecting a percentage off every rider in the pool whereas the driver is paid a set amount