In countries like Vietnam, the presence of scooters and scooter ride-hailing is phenomenal and extraordinary. In the flow of traffic, these motorcycles are first to swish through the intersection the moment the traffic light says, “Go,” and scooter-driving is a job and way of life. According to statistics published on Facebook, there are around 45 million motorcycles or vehicles of this kind in Vietnam right now.
Taiwan is kind of copying the way Vietnam’s transportation is. It is beginning to dominate the roads, motorcycle-style, and at the time it would, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications recently declared these motorcycles “illegal” under the rules.
Here’s what’s interesting: just after speculations on social networking sites that Uber is considering a pilot program for managing these motorbikes.
Motorbikes
In an official statement released to the media, the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications cited Article 34 of the Highway Act, saying that permissible commercial passenger transport services are limited to approved bus and taxis, and not scooters, or not yet scooters.
Those caught in violation will face fines of up to around $6,500, while operators will need to pay fines as high as approximately $800,000, and both subject to the revocation of permits and licenses.
This response interestingly came after Uber connecting with these motorcycle drivers, asking them to already submit their licenses and other personal papers to its office in Taipei’s Beitou District for a “pilot program.” Do the authorities think they are bypassing them?
Bypassing authorities?
Lee Wei-er, a representative for the Taipei Taxi Drivers’ Union, told Ridesharing Forum that Uber has a proposal with the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism for a Beitou cultural promotion project involving scooter ride-hailing. So, it’s not like the program is them managing these motorbikes, but a special event to be held with motorbikes, which is quite big nowadays, such as events gathering motorcycle riders at a park.
However, Lee Wei-er clarified that the plan was rejected after the tourism department connected and consulted with the local Department of Transportation and Public Transportation Office, citing scooter ride-hailing illegal. So, the chicken-and-egg-which-came-first story has been resolved.
Also, the ministry also did a consultation with the Financial Supervisory Commission, stressing that passenger and liability coverages are not currently available for scooter ride-hailing rides. This is where these scooter drivers will trip, making them relatively illegal.
Uber has different responses
However, Uber isn’t in tune with the party representative, saying it hopes to leverage technology, instead of an actual “pilot program” as what certain groups are saying, and its plans for Taiwan remain under evaluation.