|
The four taxi drivers, one of whom was fined 486,500 Danish
crowns ($78,060), were charged with failing to have permits and
for violating a law introduced to combat Uber which imposed
extra rules on taxis operating in Denmark.
After launching its service in Denmark in 2014, Uber
Technologies Inc was criticized by taxi driver unions, companies
and politicians who said the company posed unfair competition by
not meeting legal standards required for established taxi firms.
"We are very disappointed for the drivers involved and our top
priority is to support them during this difficult time," an Uber
spokeswoman said.
"We are changing the way we do business and are operating in
line with local laws across Europe, connecting with
professionally licensed drivers," she said.
The landmark case means the police can issue a fine for each
individual ride made by Uber's more than 1,500 drivers in the
country between 2014 and 2017.
A spokesman for the Copenhagen police said it would assess the
verdict and decide next week how to proceed.
Parliament passed a law in February 2017 that introduced more
stringent requirements on taxis, such as mandatory fare meters
and seat sensors. The new rules prompted Uber's withdrawal.
The company has previously said it would pay any fine given to
its drivers, according to Danish newspaper Berlingske.
(Reporting by Emil Gjerding Nielson; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
and David Evans)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
