Taxi drivers in Milan on Tuesday
continued their protest for the fourth consecutive day over the
introduction the Uber app, a service allowing passengers to
connect with nearby drivers at the push of a button on their
smartphone.
At Milan central station drivers refused to take fares with
the exception of the elderly and people bound for hospital in
opposition to the new Uber service, which they say is in
violation of laws setting out the roles and characteristics of
taxi drivers and chauffeur car rentals.
Based in California, Uber allows users to to see where the
closest participating car is and book it after agreeing a set
fare paid by credit card.
In other parts of the city drivers remained divided in
their response, with some continuing to work as usual and others
abstaining in protest against what they described as "unfair
competition".
"We don't have any other way to protest against something
that is illegal. Illegal, you understand?" a taxi driver told
ANSA.
"Do you know that the drivers who register with the new
service can be private individuals with their own car? What if
they have a criminal record? What if their car insurance is not
up to date? If they haven't had their vehicle checked?" he
continued.
"The thing that makes us angriest is that none of the
people who demand rules and checks of us has supported us".
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