For the 15 years Enoch Shadkam worked as a taxicab driver in Los Angeles, he woke up with the same discomforting thought every single morning: "Will I make enough to at least pay for my lease?"

Shadkam rented a taxi from a cab company for $750 to $800 every week. He worked 80 to 100 hours weeks, 40 to 50 of which he spent just making enough to cover the lease.

He paid the hefty lease amount week after week, no matter what – even if he fell sick or if business was slow. If Shadkam did not pay, he would have to return the car to the company. To rent again, Shadkam would have to join a long waitlist that lasted for months. 

“They don’t care if you drive or don’t drive or fall sick. They just want the money,” he said.

The days leading up to the holiday season were the worst. The corporate professionals, whose business Shadkam relied upon, went on vacation. During those weeks in December, Shadkam didn’t even make enough to cover the rent of his cab. 

“I would drive for 10 to 12 hours every day and yet go home owing money,” he said.

About eight months ago, Shadkam joined uberX, a ridesharing app that connects people looking for rides with available drivers across the city. His friend, another uberX driver, recommended the service to Shadkam by highlighting just one benefit - It's cheaper to buy a car and drive for Uber than renting a cab from a taxi company. Shadkam was sold on the idea and immediately bought a Toyota Prius.

READ MORE: Uber Services Across North America (Full-screen map)

As an uberX driver, his only costs now are the monthly installments for his Prius (which is $440 per month, compared to $750 to $800 per week for the lease) and a five percent commission to Uber on every trip. 

“I work for half the number of hours and still make more money,” he said. “Uber is the future of transportation.”

For a customer in L.A., hailing an uberX driver is much cheaper than taking cabs. For example, Yellow Cab Taxi in L.A. has a base fare of $2.85 and charges $2.70 per mile, whereas uberX has a base fare of $1.61 and charges only $1.25 per mile.

But even then, Shadkam makes more money because he gets more rides with uberX. As a taxi driver, he would have to idle for hours at airports, railway stations and outside hotels, just to wait and scout for rides. But now, all Shadkam does is drive around the city, while the app looks for rides and does all the work for him.

“Taxi business is dead, it’s just a matter of time,” Shadkam said.

Dressed from head-to-toe in black, Shadkam's ride matches his ebony fashion style. He loves black. And he hates pink. That’s why he doesn’t drive for Lyft, another competing ridesharing app. Shadkam doesn’t want to drive through the city displaying Lyft’s mascot – a furry, pink moustache. 

“That ugly, pink moustache is a bad idea,” he said. “Some people look at you like you’re crazy. I don’t have a good feeling about that.”

SEE ALSO: City Tells Ridesharing Services Lyft, Uber And Sidecar To Shut Down.

Though Shadkam says he is happier as an uberX driver, he doesn’t agree with all of the company’s policies. For example, he doesn’t like Uber’s surge pricing strategy – bumping rates at times of high consumer demand. In recent months, Uber has taken a lot of flak for the business model.

“Customers are smart. When the price surges, they will call a taxi or go to Lyft," Shadkam said. "If Uber wants to kill the taxi business, they should stop surge pricing.”

SEE ALSO: Uber's Surge Pricing Strategy Might Hurt Drivers And Passengers.

Shadkam also complained that Uber is sometimes too harsh with its drivers.

“One customer complaint and you’re fired,” Shadkam said.

Shadkam understands Uber’s need to maintain its high quality service for its customers, but is miffed that the firm often ignores the drivers’ point-of-view. Moreover, Shadkam says Uber should offer training programs for its drivers to help them improve their skills, instead of just firing them. 

SEE ALSO: A Timeline Of Uber's Journey - Controversies Included. 

But despite these complaints, Shadkam says he is thankful for the advent of Uber. During all those years that he worked as a taxicab driver, he didn’t go on a single vacation, always worrying about the sword of lease hanging over his head.

Now, finally, he can take one. 

Reach staff reporter Sinduja Rangarajan here. Follow her on twitter here.