21–30 of 55 posts
Does Uber operate in Spain using it's other services?
AFAIK, this is a first: "The company said it is “respecting the law” with its suspension" . Previously, they always said to continue their ways, going so far as promising to pay fines drivers get (sorry, can't find a link for that, but http://ernstseconomyforyou.blogspot.nl/2014/12/the-untolerab... is an example of what they think laws mean) They basically are trying to force law changes. There is nothing wrong with…
AFAIK, this is a first: "The company said it is “respecting the law” with its suspension" . Previously, they always said to continue their ways, going so far as promising to pay fines drivers get (sorry, can't find a link for that, but http://ernstseconomyforyou.blogspot.nl/2014/12/the-untolerab... is an example of what they think laws mean) They basically are trying to force law changes. There is nothing wrong with…
Some perspective from a Spaniard: The Spanish taxi guild/lobby is very, very strong. Spain has a strong public transit system, but taxis are widely used nevertheless. Taxi drivers went on strike this year during specific dates and all hell broke loose. They have much to lose, since a taxi license is very expensive and considered an investment, there is a second hand license market, etc. Some people buy houses, they b…
> Similar to construction workers; if they lose their job they cannot work as anything else. But this isn't true right? It's not that Uber is eliminating taxi jobs, it's that they are competing with the status quo. Surely, if current drivers would lose their jobs, they'd be more than welcome to hop on-board the Uber train (or I guess I should say "Uber car"). Is there a reason that you think that these drivers wouldn…
[1] http://uk.businessinsider.com/uber-drivers-say-theyre-making...
AFAIK, this is a first: "The company said it is “respecting the law” with its suspension" . Previously, they always said to continue their ways, going so far as promising to pay fines drivers get (sorry, can't find a link for that, but http://ernstseconomyforyou.blogspot.nl/2014/12/the-untolerab... is an example of what they think laws mean) They basically are trying to force law changes. There is nothing wrong with…
Who are "the weak" being protected by taxi regulations? Uber is usually cheaper than regular taxis so more available to poorer people.
All of which are designed to protect women, those who are intoxicated or incapacitated and the mentally challenged from being exploited.
Taxi regulations are like consumer protection laws. You don't know you need them until something bad happens.
AFAIK, this is a first: "The company said it is “respecting the law” with its suspension" . Previously, they always said to continue their ways, going so far as promising to pay fines drivers get (sorry, can't find a link for that, but http://ernstseconomyforyou.blogspot.nl/2014/12/the-untolerab... is an example of what they think laws mean) They basically are trying to force law changes. There is nothing wrong with…
Who are "the weak" being protected by taxi regulations? Uber is usually cheaper than regular taxis so more available to poorer people.
Good job Europe! Moving boldly into a 21st century of open borders, individual responsibility, free choice and minimal government, one banned American troublemaker at a time.
I don't know what are you talking about, but if selling out to predatory foreign companies with openly questionable moral compasses and null respect for the local legislation is "the 21st century", I'd like my dear Europe to stay in the 20th, thank you very much.
Given how much of a sad joke consumer protection laws are in the US and the general exploitation of the disadvantaged eg interest rates on student loans it's a bit rich to be lecturing other countries on matters like this.
Can we clarify: is it just the Uber Pop service (normal people's cars, irregular costs) which is suspended, not the standard Uber taxi service (licensed booked hire by authorized driver) ? Does Uber operate in Spain using it's other services?
There is a Spanish Uber competitor called Cabify that does comply with the law. They have professional drivers and cool and clean cars. So yes, Uber could be legal if they want (it implies more effort though as every driver has to have a license)
Some perspective from a Spaniard: The Spanish taxi guild/lobby is very, very strong. Spain has a strong public transit system, but taxis are widely used nevertheless. Taxi drivers went on strike this year during specific dates and all hell broke loose. They have much to lose, since a taxi license is very expensive and considered an investment, there is a second hand license market, etc. Some people buy houses, they b…
The issues you cite (healthcare, transportation, telecommunications, energy, etc) all involve externalities or market failures. Low wages are not an eternality or a market failure.
Issues of redistribution are best dealt with by taxation [1]. Why does a person who earns a low income deserve more of a break, just because they happen to be a taxi driver?
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_theorems_of_welfare...
AFAIK, this is a first: "The company said it is “respecting the law” with its suspension" . Previously, they always said to continue their ways, going so far as promising to pay fines drivers get (sorry, can't find a link for that, but http://ernstseconomyforyou.blogspot.nl/2014/12/the-untolerab... is an example of what they think laws mean) They basically are trying to force law changes. There is nothing wrong with…
They actually already gave up in Germany a few weeks ago. Bascially reducing their fares so far that they are considered ride sharing (which bascially means a driver can make no profit).