Monday 4 July 2016

NEW ZEALAND: Christchurch Taxi Drivers Protest


With those words, more than 100 taxi drivers and shareholders protested ride-sharing giant Uber in Christchurch on Monday.

Gathering outside National MP Nicky Wagner's Salisbury St offices, they chanted, held placards and called for a "safe fair and sustainable industry".

He asked the Government to crackdown on Christchurch's Uber drivers, who were operating illegally without passenger (P) endorsements, and without security cameras, commercial insurance and Certificates of Fitness (COF).

"Uber are illegally driving all over New Zealand and we just need a level playing field."

Nearly 60 Uber drivers had been identified by the NZ Transport Authority (NZTA) as operating illegally in Christchurch.

An Uber spokesperson said the company was "overwhelmed" by the positive response to its ride-sharing service since it launched in Christchurch several months ago.

"Christchurch has become our fastest growing city in New Zealand, with thousands of applications to become an Uber driver-partner, and tens of thousands of people downloading the Uber app to request a ride.

"This is an incredible reflection of the way in which Cantabrians have embraced flexible work opportunities, and a new safe, affordable and reliable way to get from A to B."

In a statement, Uber said drivers in Christchurch were required to pass a "stringent" criminal history check through the Ministry of Justice and a driving history check through the NZTA.

Singh said taxi drivers had suffered a loss since Uber arrived in Christchurch, but their concerns were not about the increased competition.

"If I drive Uber, it's cheaper, but it's not safer for the women or the girls," Singh said.

Mary Bishay had been a Blue Star taxi driver for the last two years. Her husband drove taxis.

"This is my business. This is my family. I fight for my family," she said.

Bishay called for equality in the profession.

"They either be like us or we be like them."

Nicky Wagner cancelled commitments in Wellington to address the crowd gathered outside her office.

"This is illegal and we have made this clear to the public and potential Uber drivers," Wagner said of those operating without P endorsements.

"We are reviewing the small passengers service system for all companies, not just for Uber, for everyone.

"The idea of the review is to make sure that the legislation fits the purpose," she said.

Under a new framework, rules that imposed costs on operators would be removed, and changes would "provide more scope for small passenger service businesses to make their own decisions about what their services should include, depending on their customers' needs".

A P endorsement and vehicle COF would continue to be required by all, including Uber. In-vehicle cameras would be required for those operating within New Zealand's 18 main urban areas, unless they had an exemption.

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