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| €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24250 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
€10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels Eurocrats hoping to hail a taxi at the touch of their smartphone by using the increasingly popular Uber app might have to think twice. A Brussels court has issued an order banning Uber – which links private taxi drivers with customers via its app – saying its fleet does not have the necessary licences to operate in the EU capital. Uber drivers will be fined €10,000 if they are caught carrying private passengers. The decision is the latest blow for the San Francisco start-up backed by Google and Goldman Sachs as it tries to expand its presence in Europe, where it has faced intense regulatory hurdles and opposition from traditional taxi associations. Neelie Kroes, the EU’s digital commissioner, said the court’s decision was “crazy” and “outrageous”. “This decision ... is not about protecting or helping passengers – it’s about protecting a taxi cartel,” Ms Kroes told the Financial Times. “If Brussels authorities have a problem with Uber they should find a way to help them comply with standards. Slamming the door in Uber’s face doesn’t solve anything.” A spokesperson for Brigitte Grouwels, transport minister for the Brussels region, defended the court’s decision. “They [Uber] do not comply with existing rules, they are not registered, their drivers don’t have a regular licence and do not follow the rules that conventional taxis have to follow ... that’s why the court blocked them,” said the spokesperson. The court’s decision is unlikely to surprise Uber, which has been subject to similar actions in other European countries. “Uber has faced challenges in many places where it launched its services, which are highly appreciated by consumers,” said a person close to the company. Licensed taxi unions in France and Italy have bitterly opposed moves to open up the business to more competition, and have launched a series of mass demonstrations to paralyse local traffic in protests. François Hollande’s administration tried to placate traditional taxi drivers by making private cabs wait for 15 minutes after receiving an order before picking up their customer. But the rule was thrown out by the country’s highest administrative court. Taxi unions in Milan plastered the walls of Italy’s financial capital with fliers showing a picture of Benedetta Arese Lucini, Uber’s Italian general manager, with a sign saying “Damned Arese Lucini GO HOME”. Ms Kroes said the court’s decision would send a wrong message to tech companies willing to invest in Europe. She said the ban sent “a bad anti-tech message about Brussels, which is already in the 4G dark ages. People in Brussels are modern and open, they should have a chance to use modern and open services.” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b23e9ee4-c4b9 ... z2yz6RjNtT |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
captain cab wrote: Neelie Kroes, the EU’s digital commissioner, said the court’s decision was “crazy” and “outrageous”. “This decision ... is not about protecting or helping passengers – it’s about protecting a taxi cartel,” Ms Kroes told the Financial Times. Welcome to my world. 
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
If the world of business wants taxis on the cheap they will achieve a system with uninsured, unchecked vehicles driven by similarly unchecked drivers - its a race to the bottom. |
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| Author: | toots [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
I don't see much difference in this company not having a licence and likes of Cabfind etc not having a licence to be honest. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
yeah its almost as if these app companies wouldn't check the drivers are licensed and insured? |
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| Author: | roythebus [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
You should see the paperwork I've just had to complete to go on the First Rail Services list to take the occasional train crew from Dungeness to Ashford! At least the paperwork IS in order, unlike the alleged non-existent paperwork of Uber. |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
captain cab wrote: If the world of business wants taxis on the cheap they will achieve a system with uninsured, unchecked vehicles driven by similarly unchecked drivers - its a race to the bottom. I'm not sure the cheap bit applies, and I'm not sure this sort of booking system is aimed at business. More aimed at making it more convenient for punters. |
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| Author: | roythebus [ Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
It seems to be that none of the apps companies has any idea of the insurance, licencing or checking of driver licences regimes throughout the world. all they see is another way of making money for themselves, just because a lot of their backers choose to ignore their own financial services regulators and get away with it. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
roythebus wrote: It seems to be that none of the apps companies has any idea of the insurance, licencing or checking of driver licences regimes throughout the world. all they see is another way of making money for themselves, just because a lot of their backers choose to ignore their own financial services regulators and get away with it. 
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| Author: | trotskys twin [ Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: €10,000 fines threat for Uber taxis in Brussels |
captain cab wrote: roythebus wrote: It seems to be that none of the apps companies has any idea of the insurance, licencing or checking of driver licences regimes throughout the world. all they see is another way of making money for themselves, just because a lot of their backers choose to ignore their own financial services regulators and get away with it. [/quotPrediction Uber will get their act together ........................backed by scum for sure GOOGLE Goldman Sachs..............why...............£££££££££££££
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