Taxis block Geneva traffic to protest against Uber

Taxi drivers want better enforcement of the Uber ban in Geneva Keystone

Dozens of taxis perturbed rush hour traffic in Geneva on Monday to protest against the ride-sharing service Uber. The cabs were unhappy with Uber’s attempts to legitimately enter the taxi sector. 

A convoy of taxis drove at snail’s pace in a loop around the Mont Blanc bridge – an important traffic artery in the city – for around two hours from 4pm onwards. Honking their displeasure they called on the city authorities to enforce the law banning Uber in the canton. 

According to the Geneva police, around 150 to 200 drivers took part in the procession causing significant delays to buses and trams that ply the route. Routes to the Geneva airport were also affected. 

In April, Geneva’s cantonal government ordered Uber to cease operations because it violated cantonal taxi regulations. Canton Geneva considers Uber to be a taxi dispatch centre and therefore bound to cantonal tax laws. Uber drivers in Geneva could face fines of between CHF100 and CHF20,000. 

But the authorities appear to be softening their stance against Uber. They are now working on a new law on taxis that aims to promote fairer competition in the interest of the public. Uber has also agreed to comply with regulations such as allowing only advance bookings on its smartphone application and displaying a maximum fare for each journey.