The China Post
Date: July 19, 2016
By: The China Post news staff

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced a three-pronged approach to cracking down on illegal ride-hailing service Uber Taiwan, a move the agency said was intended to protect local taxi drivers.

Vice Transportation Minister Wang Kuo-tsai (汪國材) said at a press conference Monday morning that the approach will include slapping fines on the company until its operations are legalized. The ministry also plans to launch pluralistic taxi service programs in urban areas and assist rural townships to set up taxi-hailing platforms, Wang said.

The government has imposed fines of over NT$60 million on Uber for illegal business operations since the company ventured into the local transportation market four years ago, Wang said. Uber is registered as an information service company, but it illegally operates ride services using private drivers and “white cars” that are without business operation permits.

Uber Taiwan now makes an annual tax payment of NT$1 million, but fails to employ qualified drivers, declines to honor labor and health insurance premiums for private drivers, and usually remains on the sidelines when disputes between private drivers and consumers emerge, Wang said.     [FULL  STORY]