Spanish taxi drivers force ban on 'unfair' Uber

Taxi drivers say the service is unfair as the drivers do not have to fulfil the same requirements or pay for training and licences

The Uber app allows passengers to hail a taxi with a smartphone (PA)

A judge has ordered the precautionary suspension of the ride-sharing service Uber in Spain, saying it represents unfair competition.

The judge said yesterday that Uber drivers lacked proper permits to transport passengers in Spain. The suspension had been sought by Madrid’s Taxi Association, which is planning a legal case against the company.

There was no immediate comment from Uber.

Its passengers hail a ride from a mobile app and it takes a cut from whatever the drivers’ charge.

Taxi drivers say the service is unfair as the drivers do not have to fulfil the same requirements or pay for training and licences, as taxi drivers do.

The San Francisco-based company has met with opposition in several European Union countries. And Uber was banned in Delhi earlier this week after a driver used by the company is alleged to have raped a passenger. The suspect had previously been charged with rape, but used a forged character reference.

AP