Dutch police arrested four drivers in Amsterdam early Sunday after they were found to be improperly using the Uber app
Four drivers were arrested in Amsterdam by the Dutch police on Sunday after they were caught using the Uber app for taxi services improperly. This incident has posed yet another challenge for the Uber Technologies Inc. and might just be another glitch in its efforts to expand its services in Europe. Though the four drivers have been released but they were imposed with a fine of 4,200 euros ($5,300) each. According to pokeswoman of the Ministry of Environment & Infrastructure’s inspection department, Yeter Atmaca, “They were arrested and fined because it is illegal to offer these services without the right permits.”
Uber’s business has been restricted by governments and regulators in different cities around the world since it has started to become a threat to safety and has found a way to compete with licensed taxi services in an unfair manner. In some European cities including London, Madrid, Paris and Berlin, cabbies, with permits that can cost 200,000 euros apiece, have held protests.
In response to this scenario, Uber e-mailed a statement saying that “This action is unjustified and disproportional. We remain in touch with the policy makers to familiarize them with how our technology works and the positive impact it has on mobility.”
source: bloomberg