|
The
new service will start with 20 drivers who have a commercial
chauffeur licence and will be more expensive than UberPOP, which
allows users to ride with private drivers.
As in many other countries, Uber's entry into the Belgian market
was greeted with protests from taxi companies which see the app
as unfair competition. Taxi drivers plan another demonstration
in the Belgian capital on Sept. 16.
The company has also faced court injunctions and cars have been
seized by authorities.
In July, Uber suspended UberPOP in Paris after facing violent
protests.
"It's our ambition to continue with UberPOP," Filip Nuytemans,
head of Uber Belgium, told a news conference.
Uber says existing Belgian legislation will allow UberX to
operate, but it will not be allowed to use taxi lanes. The
Brussels ministry for transport had no immediate comment
regarding Uber's announcement.
The news conference to announce the new service was held in a
venue in Brussels' European district but the location was only
communicated 45 minutes before the start to avoid protests
outside.
"When there is a minority of taxi drivers that delivers
ultimatums to the state, that attacks Uber drivers and pulls
passengers from the cars, clearly there is an issue of
security," Mark MacGann, Uber's head of public policy in Europe,
said.
(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Susan Thomas)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|
