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The San Francisco-based company, which allows
users to summon rides on their smartphones, announced late on
Tuesday that it was experiencing "huge demand" for its services
in German cities where it is not currently operating.
It plans to move into Cologne and Stuttgart later this year, and
is also eyeing Nuremberg, Bonn, Essen, Dortmund and Potsdam.
From now until the end of the year, it expects to double the
number of subscribed users in Germany, after growing fivefold so
far in 2014, the company said.
Currently, Uber is operating in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich,
Frankfurt and Duesseldorf. But it has run into trouble in the
German capital and northern port city of Hamburg, which have
banned the service over concerns that drivers lack licenses to
carry passengers and do not have full insurance coverage.
Uber appealed the rulings and has carried on operating in the
two cities pending a final verdict. Other German cities are also
considering a ban, according to media reports.
Founded in 2009 and valued at $18.2 billion based on its latest
funding round in June, Uber Technologies Inc describes itself as
a marketplace that puts people in contact with each other, not a
transportation service.
Drivers have to be over a certain age, have a valid driving
license, and undergo background checks before they can pick up
passengers.
Uber has faced regulatory obstacles in a number of European
cities as well as legal challenges from taxi companies hoping to
keep new competition out. Taxi drivers across Europe caused
chaos in June by protesting against the service.
Uber was banned by a Paris court earlier this month and told to
change its invoicing system.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Noah Barkin)
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