The News Lens
Date: 2016/11/21
By: Jason Hsu
Kicking out companies like Uber, UberEats, Gogovan and LaLaMove is not a solution, argues
Photo Credit:UberEATS
opposition lawmaker Jason Hsu.
Since its founding in 2009, Uber has been both a disruptive innovation and destructive lawbreaker all over the world. Taiwan is no exception. Over the course of four years, the ride-sharing startup has collected over NT$150 million (US$4.7 million) in fines and is facing numerous other charges.
Uber is seen as a threat to the traditional taxi industry, which is highly regulated and run by licensed companies. However, Uber is popular among the younger generation who are used to using mobile phones to organize their daily activities such as requesting rides, ordering food and banking.
Without owning a single fleet of cars, Uber calls itself a technology company that allows riders and drivers to match each other via its platform. However, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC), Uber is operating in violation of Public Road Law Article 23, which stipulates a company like Uber must register as transportation business entity and its drivers and cars obtain professional vehicle licenses. [FULL STORY]
