Brussels, 17/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - One after the other doors are closing for Uber across the EU but the European Commission has no intention of becoming involved.
Following the ban on Spanish soil imposed last week (see EUROPE 11215), France announced on Tuesday 16 December that it intends to ban Uber's private driver service app from 1 January 2015. A few days earlier, the Brussels authorities tightened judicial proceedings against the California-based company.
The bans are growing in Europe and take different forms to address the unfair competition of which Uber stands accused towards taxi services. The European Commission, however, does not intend to become embroiled. “It is for national governments to ensure that, in the areas for which they are responsible, they take account of the growing trend of services provided by Uber”, confirmed its spokesperson Jakub Adamowicz on Wednesday 17 December 2014. Taxi service operators are regulated nationally, he stated, so European law does not apply in this sector. Adamowicz said the Commission would keep a close eye on the situation: “We expect measures to be taken by national authorities which should address the situation with regard to the appearance of this new service provider. We will ensure that these measures are adopted properly at national level” (our translation throughout).
Uber has complained to the European Commission about a French law enacted in October to check transport vehicles with drivers (Thévenoud Law). The Commission has confirmed that it was not notified of the law and it has opened an investigation. (MD)