In Rio, Taxi Drivers Protest Against Uber, Which Decides to React

07/27/2015 - 10h34

Taxi drivers staged a protest on Friday (24) in Rio against the action of the Uber app -which they consider unfair competition by providing independent drivers in passenger transport, without license nor the payment of the same taxes.

The taxi drivers´ convoy reached various parts of the city, was supported by both city and state secretaries of Transport, and faced a reaction from Uber -which decided to offer cariocas (Rio´s inhabitants) two trips of up to R$ 50 (approximately $ 15) for free on Friday, between 7 am and 7 pm.

The entity representing taxi drivers estimated that 3,200 vehicles took part in the protest. According to city hall, they were 1,500.

The cars were lined up in Aterro do Flamengo.

Taxi drivers from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Curitiba also joined the protest.

"Since Uber has arrived in town, cariocas and visitors have one more way of moving around the streets of Rio and we know they don´t want to stop", the company says.

Translated by DENISE MOTA

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