Competition Council: Bucharest City Hall should not ban Uber & other passenger transport apps

Anca Alexe 21/02/2018 | 10:52

Bucharest City Hall has been threatening to ban companies like Uber, Taxify, StarTaxi or Clever Taxi from transporting passengers in Bucharest, claiming that they are operating outside the limits of the law and unfairly competing with traditional taxi companies. Perhaps surprisingly, the Competition Council has warned the City Hall that the elimination of these services from the market is against competition principles.

At the same time, Mayor Gabriela Firea promised that taxi services in Bucharest will be improved significantly through the introduction of a new rulebook for taxi drivers, which will respond to complaints by customers about the unpleasant experiences they have had with taxis, which have made them turn to alternative services.

Bogdan Chiritoiu, Competition Council president: “We are not against systems like Uber. Whether we like it or not, we cannot ‘un-invent’ the internet.” He added that the City Hall has to allow the apps to function, and that it can be done legally.

The Council believes that these apps help clients by reducing their waiting time and helping them choose the best price offer and the best quality of services.

Municipality officials have not yet responded to the Competition Council’s report.