France Bans Uber Taxis

VOA News
15 December 2014 (5:25AM)

Taxi drivers are blocking roads around Paris Monday to protest the Uber transport service, on the same day France's Interior Ministry announced Uber will be outlawed as of January 1, when a new law tightens regulations for chauffeured rides.

Uber, unlike traditional taxi services, matches people seeking rides with drivers through a cell phone application. Uber's non-professional drivers use their own cars to take on passengers at budget rates.

Parisian taxi drivers, like their counterparts in large cities around the world, say they are frustrated with what they see as unfair competition from Uber's smartphone taxi service.

A French Interior Ministry spokesman said the new law will effectively ban Uber's low-cost option.

Uber is battling lawsuits in a string of countries for unfair competition. Complaints also arise concerning drivers who are not properly vetted.

New Delhi banned Uber last week from operating in the Indian capital after a passenger accused one of its drivers of rape.