The Taiwan’s People Party, a political party in this East Asian country, has confirmed that despite being heavily fined, Uber is still offering illegal scooter rides.
Scooter rides are available as an option in the app.
Illegal
These illegal short-distance scooter rides happen in Taipei’s Beitou District. This, despite Uber getting fined that the Taipei City Government has implemented.
The Taiwan People’s Party is also accusing the Ministry of Transportation and Communication of not fulfilling its duties well.
Beitou District is the northernmost and most mountainous district of Taipei in Taiwan. Famous for its national geothermal hot springs, this area offers a relaxing escape from the city.
It was last July 1st when Uber launched a month-long cultural experience in Beitou, offering free short-distance scooter rides for a limited period within a limited area.
However, this is considered illegal.
Complaints came in, so the Taipei Department of Transportation Wednesday last week fined Uber and Rides Formosa Co a total of around $19,000 for contravening the Highway Act.
Drivers were also fined around $3,100, and their car registrations and driver’s licenses, suspended.
The law does not permit scooters to be used for commercial passenger transport, and authorities are highlighting that operators should not offer such services, even if they are in the guise of free promotional campaigns, in an attempt to legalize the practice.
While scooters are not totally banned in Taiwan, some types of scooters are restricted, such as personal electric scooters, and scooters plying on highways and expressways.
Authorities also urged drivers not to break this law for the sake of lucrative bonuses, warning them not to risk heavy penalties for short-term gains.
Not doing their duties well
A news conference was also held in Taipei wherein the transportation and communication ministry was accused of not doing their job well, since the electric scooter option is still available on the Uber Taiwan app.
Taiwan People’s Party legislator Chen Gao-tzu showed the screenshot of this on the app, saying that despite the fines, the pure electric scooter option is still visible on the Uber Taiwan app, indicating that passengers can still book them.
The ministry was also asked what it would do if a tourist who took this illegal ride gets involved in an accident, saying that it “supports local governments in administering according to the law.” That’s the response.
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