MEXICO CITY (AP) Representatives of Mexico City’s regular cab drivers said Friday they dislike new regulations published this week for ride-sharing apps like Uber.
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Under the rules, 1.5 percent of each fare a ride-sharing cab receives will go to a “Taxi, Mobility and Pedestrian Fund”.
Here’s what’s happening with Uber in other cities across Canada: Vancouver: Uber was put on hold by the city in 2012, and has been banned from operations since; Calgary: Uber has been stymied by a regulation requiring a minimum $78.34 charge for any sedan or limousine trip, and can’t compete with the city’s more affordable taxis; Edmonton: City council asked Uber to voluntarily withdraw until new regulations were approved.
Uber picked up a hefty tab Wednesday when a judge fined the taxi-alternative’s California subsidiary US$7.3 million for refusing to give state regulators information about its business practices, including when its drivers turn down ride requests and how accessible vehicles are to disabled riders.
Nevertheless, the rules did not impose a limit to the number of vehicles Uber could deploy around the city, which Mexico City had threatened to do in its preliminary proposals. But the minimum vehicle value could spell trouble for the San Francisco-based company, which said last week the start-up cost for drivers to use its most popular service was around 150,000 pesos including the cost of a car.
Uber said the 200,000 peso minimal amount benefit was also “high tavern” but “possible”.
Ride-booking applications like Uber and Cabify were allowed to run in Mexico City, however, required to have their permit.
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City council isn’t quite sure what to make of Uber, and is looking elsewhere for guidance. Uber says the metropolis is one of its fastest-growing markets globally with 500 000 customers and more than 10 000 drivers, some of whom share cars.
