What`s new in the taxi world? Our bilingual ‘update’ summarises the international news of the last days and hours. As some of the links are in foreign languages, we recommend using a website translator.
International News
Class action lawsuits against Uber and Lyft: Some drivers argue they’ve been misclassified as independent contractors and want full employee status.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102435316
Quote of the day
“Our goal is to have drivers registered as employees so that they can also enjoy the same rights as employees.”
Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan from Boston hopes to achieve this with a class action lawsuit against Uber + Lyft.
International News
New Volkswagen Caddy with natural gas: A natural gas model of the recently introduced VW Caddy will soon be available.
http://www.carscoops.com/2015/02/vw-unveils-fourth-generation-caddy-van.html
Citroen DS 5 facelifted for 2015: The new look will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Here are the first pictures.
http://www.autovolt-magazine.com/citroen-ds5-receives-refreshing-new-look/
Uber cooperates with alcohol app: If this mobile alcohol test shows a blood alcohol level over the limit, the closest available Uber driver will be located and displayed in the app.
News from Germany
Rate increase refused: Nothing has changed in Munich, where a request for a rate increase to support the interests of larger companies at the same time as those of owner drivers was unsuccessful.
Munich – hotbed of revenue cheats? According to a recent audit, there are 600 too many taxis in the city. In addition, the revenues reported by 40% of all taxi operators are “implausible”.
http://www.tz.de/muenchen/stadt/studie-muenchen-viele-taxis-4759151.html
Book and pay: Mercedes announced an additional feature of its mobility app Moovel. Not only can customers book a taxi, they can also pay for it without cash. The app hails a mytaxi vehicle, which does not exactly improve the already tense relationship between Mercedes and the radio circuits.
