Uber's Motorcycle Ride Program Deemed Illegal by Taipei City Government

A courier rides a motorcycle on a street in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Uber

NO COMMENT: The ride-hailing company did not acknowledge the service’s legality, saying only that safety measures were in place and that its drivers have good records

Staff writer, with CNA

Uber’s one-month “short-range cultural experience” program to offer free, short-distance motorcycle rides in Beitou District （北投） is against the law and faces penalties if carried out, the Taipei City Government said yesterday.

The pilot program began yesterday afternoon.

Taiwan’s laws do not permit that type of motorcycle passenger transportation service, Taipei Transportation Commissioner Hsieh Ming-hong （謝銘鴻） said, adding that even if they did, Uber had not applied to the city for approval.

The city “will not tolerate” such a service and would impose penalties in accordance with the Highway Act （公路法）, he said.

The city’s Public Transportation Office said the issue was more than just driver qualifications, as passenger safety was also at risk.

Regulations do not provide a framework governing insurance, liability and passenger protections related to this type of service, and accidents could therefore lead to disputes over insurance claims, legal liability and passenger rights, the office said.

Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Yen-po （陳彥伯） said Uber’s attempt to frame the service as an “experience” would make no difference to its legal status.

Describing the nature of the program as “commercial,” Chen said the authorities would determine whether the service constitutes an illegal transport operation based on how it is conducted rather than on whether passengers were charged a fee.

Meanwhile, the Taipei Taxidrivers Union and the Taiwan Digital Platform Reservation and Pickup Workers Union issued a joint statement condemning the project.

Matching passengers with motorcycle riders constitutes an unauthorized transportation business and may be punishable by fines of up to NT$25 million （US$784,338）, the statement cited the Ministry of Transportation and Communications as saying.

The unions described Uber’s decision as an open challenge to the law, urging the Highway Bureau to strictly enforce regulations and calling on the Ministry of Economic Affairs to consider revoking the company’s business registration and investment permit.

Uber did not acknowledge the service’s legal status nor address the government’s contention that it was illegal, saying only that it had established safety measures with its venture partner and affiliate, Rides Formosa Co.

Participant protection and support would be provided in accordance with regulations, Uber said, adding that all participating motorcycle drivers meet the safety requirements and have good records.

Helmets that comply with safety standards would also be provided to passengers, and the Uber app includes driver identity verification, and safety features such as route deviation detection and real-time trip sharing, it added.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES

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