Uber should be regulated as a transport company: EU Court
Uber has long been advocating that it’s a technology service. The primary objective of its functions is to ensure that its customers can stay in constant connection with each other, in the most convenient way possible. It doesn’t appear like the European Court of Justice (ECJ) agrees with Uber. In fact, in a ruling made public on Tuesday, 19th December 2017, it has been confirmed that Uber will not be regulated as a technology service company but a transport firm. Regardless of its stature, the company’s operations in the UK will remain unaffected.
As noted by Telegraph, European Court of Justice – which is based in Luxembourg – has officially stated that Uber must be considered as forming “an integral part of an overall service whose main component is a transport service.” This case becomes more pronounced when the Barcelona taxi drivers accused Uber drivers to not be in possession of a driver’s license as per the state’s laws. The latest ruling has the potential to change the way Uber functions in most European cities.
However, the company came forward and stated that its services in the UK would remain undeterred. It turns out, Uber and its drivers have already obtained operating licenses from local authorities in the UK market. “This ruling will not change things in most EU countries where we already operate under transportation laws,” an Uber spokesman stated.
The GMB Union along with the Licensed Taxi Driver’s Association are permitted to participate in Uber’s upcoming legal battle to fight against the decision by European Court of Justice. GMB General Secretary, Mr Tim Roache in response has said, “GMB welcomes this decision which confirms that Uber is, as we have always said, a transport company.”
“We now want to see sensible regulation being applied to Uber and all drivers to ensure worker and public safety, and a level playing field for all our driver members,” he went on to conclude.
