[com_kieffer]

The reaction to UberPop in France has been shameful. Taxi drivers have been attacking UberPop drivers for weeks, following and harassing them. They even posted videos of themselves attacking UberPop drivers and their cars on youtube on facebook.

The latest outburst of violence saw taxi drivers blocking access to airports in Paris forcing passengers to walk the remainder of the way. Overturning and torching cars that looked like they might be Ubers. There was even a video of taxi drivers on a bridge on the "periphérique", the motorway that goes around Paris, dropping bricks on cars underneath.

The government instead of punishing them bowed down almost immediately ...

Part of the problem is that striking is sacrosanct in France. If you're striking you can get away with almost anything like kidnapping your employer and holding him hostage or blocking a major port for days on end (MyFerryLink strikes) ...

[klean92]

Lots of hypocrisy everywhere. They were running an illegal company for a year, and kept going. Violence against drivers for weeks, they kept going. Government finally intervenes, puts them in jail for a day, they shut down the service the next.

Uber management is more interested in their own safety than their drivers, regardless of what they say.

Governement reacted only after the demonstrations, proving the justice happens only if you take it in your own hands. This is really sad.

[kuschku]

Well, we in Germany got the same result (UberPOP getting banned) by using, well, calmer methods.

We fixed it by telling them if they want to provide personal transport services, they have to adhere to the laws about that – insurance, a special drivers license, etc.

[microtonal]

But that doesn't work that well in practice. E.g. UberPop was declared illegal by a Dutch judge in December. They just continued, paying the fines when drivers are found to be in violation.

While the violence in France is inexcusable, I can understand the frustration when you are competing with some company that has such deep pockets that are above the law. It's completely unfair competition (other taxi drivers need insurances, registration, etc), robbing existing taxi drivers of their livelihood.

(Yes, I am in favor of disruption in the taxi market, but with a level playing field, and guaranteed insurance for taxi customers.)

[kuschku]

Well, due to them repeatedly ignoring the law and just paying the fine, the courts in Germany increased the fines: 230k EUR per trip taken.

That’s one of the best ways to keep the market fair.

[dylanjermiah]

"Keep the market fair" That's not their concern. It's protecting the taxi cartel by outlawing a superior method of transportation. Keeping the market "fair" would allow competition.

[kuschku]

Well, the market allows competition. If it plays by the existing rules.

Anyone can provide a chauffeur for hire service, even without a taxi license – you just need a special insurance and a special drivers license that permits you to transport people.

Many competitors of uber did the same.

uber was the only one who tried to operate without insurance, without the drivers license for chauffeurs, taxi and bus drivers.

[stefantalpalaru]

Is there any movement among the consumers to boycott licensed taxis as a form of protest?