from channelnewsasia.com: Japan has slammed the brakes on taxi service Uber less than a month
after it launched a pilot programme in the country, with a government
official saying Wednesday (Mar 4) it likely violates transport laws.
The
development marked another blow for the web-based taxi app, which has
become an object of scorn from traditional taxi companies in many
countries fighting for survival against the rise of the Silicon Valley
challenger.
“Last Friday, we met with Uber Japan officials and
told them to stop the pilot programme immediately because we suspect it
breaches Japanese transport law,” a transport ministry official told
AFP.
“There are two major problems with their project. First, it
could be considered an unlicensed taxi business if they use regular
drivers, and second, there are safety concerns” including a lack of
insurance.
Responding to the move, Uber said it would continue to
talk with officials and said the service would be a plus for urban
transport in rapidly-ageing Japan.
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