Taxi drivers protest against Uber in Rio
The cabdrivers are calling for a ban on Uber services, which they claim to be illegal. In São Paulo, a similar demand was turned down by the courts
Hundreds of taxi drivers are in protest in Rio de Janeiro against Uber, a mobile app that offers paid rides in registered cars. The cabs drove around local neighborhoods and gathered at Flamengo Park, opposite the National Monument to the Dead of World War II.
Drivers tied white and blue ribbons on their cars and drove in convoy on some of the city's main avenues, covering the west, north and south areas.
The cabdrivers are calling for a ban on Uber services, which they claim to be illegal. In São Paulo, a similar demand was turned down by the courts.
Márcio Madureira has been a taxi driver for ten years. He referred to Uber as “an alien pirate”, saying it is interfering with the activities of traditional taxi drivers worldwide. He also pointed out a decline in the number of rides. “Evening rides dropped 40%,” he said.
In response to the protest, Uber started to offer free travel throughout the city on Friday (July 24) until 7 pm. “We know that today will be a hard day for getting around Rio, and we want to give people choice. So we decided to let you all use Uber to go anywhere in the city for free,” the campaign text read.
In a statement, Uber said users should have more choice on transport and argued that the service provided through the app creates business opportunities for thousands of partner drivers.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Taxi drivers protest against Uber in Rio
