Italy takes part in Europe-wide taxi strike against Uber

(ANSA) - Rome, June 11 - Taxi drivers across Italy were part of a Europe-wide strike on Wednesday against the Uber cab-hailing app they fear is co-opting their livelihood while sidestepping regulations. In Milan, the country's most heavily trafficked city, protests were planned to continue through the night "in order not to lose our sector to a multinational that cares about profit and not service, without even paying taxes in Italy," said a statement from the cabbies union. Only the ill, disabled, pregnant, and those with small children were offered rides in Milan, Rome, Naples, and other cities spanning the peninsula. Licensed cabbies in London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Lisbon join their Italian colleagues in similar strikes on Wednesday over the introduction of Uber, a service allowing passengers to connect with nearby drivers at the push of a button on their smartphone.
    Opponents say it violates laws setting out the roles and characteristics of taxi drivers and chauffeur car rentals.
    Based in California, Uber allows users to see where the closest participating car is and book it after agreeing a set fare paid by credit card.