Brussels, 10/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - Already banned in three European capitals (Berlin, Paris and Brussels) and the whole of the Netherlands, use of the Uberpop app for the taxiing of individuals was made illegal in Spain on Tuesday 9 December.
In the face of this growing controversy about private taxi services, the European Commission says that the question is not under its jurisdiction and it has to abide by subsidiarity. Taxi-drivers are demanding that the Commission take action.
Raft of bans. A judge in Madrid has banned Uber in Spain on the grounds that Uber taxi-drivers do not have any official authorisation and may be competing unfairly with traditional taxi services. This comes on top of a host of bans and appeals in law against Californian company Uber in other European countries, along with India, Thailand, Colombia and Brazil.
Commission takes the back seat. The European Commission refuses to comment on the situation at this stage because taxi services are not subject to EU regulations as they are governed by the member states. The Commission says, however, that it “has always supported the development of new and innovative mobility services.” It urges the member states to ensure respect of proportionality, non-discrimination on the basis of nationality and freedom of establishment.
Pressure from taxi-drivers. Taxi-drivers have been concerned about Uber from the start, and urge the European Commission to take action. The IRU (European road transport federation) and EFT (European transport worker federation) want the Commission to introduce rules on access to the profession of taxi-driver and the driving around of passengers. They urge the European institutions and the member states to ensure fair competition between providers of mobility services, including self-proclaimed paid car-sharing services. (MD)