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Taxi drivers claim private ride share services like Uber are illegal and create unfair competition, threatening their livelihoods.
Hundreds of Mexico City taxi drivers protested against Uber on Monday while the international company offered free services to its customers.
The protests were the latest in a series of demonstrations targeting the pending regularization of Uber and Cabify, the on-demand “sharing economy” car service apps that protesting Mexico City taxi drivers say are “illegal” services that crowd an already saturated taxi market.
Taxi drivers blocked major roads in several parts of the city starting early in the morning. Uber responded by offering free rides for the day, saying “Mexico never stops.” According to its website, Uber announced a one day only offer for up to two free rides valuing up to about $US10 each.
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Porque #MexicoNoPara hoy tu Uber es gratis http://t.co/t2ZxljV50w
— Uber DF (@Uber_DF)
May 25, 2015
“Because Mexico Doesn’t stop today Uber is free”
Uber, a private international company based in San Francisco, California, is touted as a “ride share” program, but many have also criticized it for acting as an informal taxi service, undermining workers' rights and forcing taxi drivers out of business.
Uber, which initiated services in Mexico City in 2013, has been the topic of local government discussions in Mexico City that aim to address how to best regular Uber and other similar private car services, such as Cabify.
The demonstrations caused traffic and transportation difficulties, angering some motorists, while security forces urged protesters to end blockades in particularly high-traffic areas. Some 500 riot cops prevented protesters moving into the city center, Mexican newspaper La Jornada reported.
Protesters chanted “Uber out!” and demanded an end to services that they say evade tax, registration, and safety laws, putting unfair burdens and competition on taxi drivers.
"Fuera los piratas", la consiga de los #taxistas en el Ángel de la Independencia http://t.co/ouBY76p7vI pic.twitter.com/foUFEPYJSz
— AnimalPolitico.com (@Pajaropolitico)
May 25, 2015
“‘Out with the pirates,’ the slogan of the taxi drivers in the Angel of Independence area”
"We have to pay for car taxes, taxi license plates, permits, and all the rest, while Uber drivers just pay vehicle verification and that's it," Mexico City taxi driver Juan Luis Uscandia told Reuters.
Competing twitter hashtags “Uber is going” and “Uber is sticking around” were both trending in Mexico City on Monday.
¿Y tú de qué lado estás? #UberSeQueda vs #UberSeVa http://t.co/F0SrI1J4JE pic.twitter.com/4q96W0uTAd
— The Insighters (@theinsightersmx)
May 10, 2015
“And what side are you on?” Uber is sticking around vs Uber is going” (Photo: The tariff of executive taxis run by the company Uber cost four times as much as a regular taxi and more than double the cost of a radio taxi.)
