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
Unfair Germans: The Uber car-sharing service has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Germany, saying that it is being treated unfairly in the country.
Ridesharing service and reservation system work together: Blacklane and Amadeus have announced a ‘taxi and transfer solution’ which allows travel agencies to order limousine service at the time of booking. This is another transaction that does not take taxis into consideration.
Women-power: Uber wants to to create jobs for a million female drivers in the next five years. This was announced on the day of the United Nations Women event in New York.
http://abc7news.com/business/uber-partners-with-un-to-hire-more-female-drivers/553201/
Quote of the day
„These provisions protect as their main objective the taxi monopoly in general, and existing taxi operators in particular, against competitors to the detriment of new innovative business models.“
Excerpt from Uber’s complaint to the EU
Automobile news
Production launch of the new Superb: The first model of the new Superb rolled off the assembly line last week at the Skoda plant in Kvasiny, Czech Republic. The market launch is scheduled for June.
http://www.praguepost.com/technology/45722-production-of-the-new-skoda-superb-begins
News from Germany
Free Uber rides in Berlin: From last Friday to Sunday passengers in Berlin could take Uber taxis free of charge.
Lack of assistance with loading luggage, and detours: What with taxi drivers behaving as they do in Regensburg, it should be no surprise if passengers choose Uber, Blacklane or other ridesharing services in the future.
News from Switzerland
Higher subsidies for taxi rides in Basel: passengers with mobility handicabs are to receive greater financial support for taxi rides.
Our last words
Only for real taxi and larger companies! A Volkswagen dealership near Cologne has promised to support the taxi trade in the fight against Uber. A clear statement would also be appreciated from Mercedes, since the company has been involved in various schemes that go against the interests of the taxi trade.
