Taxi drivers continue to demand out of cars Uber – Observer

The Council of Ministers approved on Thursday the draft law that aims to regulate Uber and Cabify — and that does not include the so-claimed quota — and the taxi drivers do not give up. "Do not abdicate the contingent [limit of cars that can circulate in the municipalities through these platforms]," said the Observer Carlos Ramos, president of the Portuguese Federation of Taxi. For the week, there is a meeting of the industry to decide what measures they will take next.

it Was the question of the fund. Do not abdicate the contingent. The Government says that was not provided because this is a private activity, but there are lawyers who say the contrary, because it is a private activity that is remunerated in the public space," he added.

This Thursday, the Council of Ministers approved the draft law which aims to regulate the activity of electronic platforms for passenger transport in vehicles, adulterated (TVDE), such as Uber and Cabify. The initial proposal, released in October, was the target of various criticisms of the sector and has taken thousands of taxi drivers out to the street at a slow pace — for the second time. At the end of the Council of Ministers, the minister for the Environment, João Matos Fernandes, said firmly that "there is no provision for allotments".

With the new regulations, will be required for drivers of Uber and Cabify, which are holders of a certificate of driver TVDE, which must pass by the IMT, the regulator of the sector; have driving licence for at least three years; attend a training course of 50 hours (which can be waived if you already have the certificate of taxi driver); and that is certified as to its suitability. This warranty goes on, "among other things, by does not have committed crimes such as dangerous driving or under the influence of alcohol" according to what was advanced by the Ministry of the Environment to the Observer.

Carlos Ramos pointed out that this proposal is not about "only the regulations of the platforms, as was the initial intention of the Government, but goes to the meeting of what the industry has always been concerned, that pertains to the type of vehicles you can work on the platforms — now, already have to be established in the society, to have their employees properly legal".

The proposed regulations, which will have to pass now by the Assembly of the Republic, it tightens the rules relating to the partner companies of platforms and drivers. "The operators are no longer able to be individual entities, must necessarily be legal persons. Is set a maximum time for driving that does not exceed six hours continuously", said the minister João Matos Fernandes, quoted by the Lusa news Agency.

Carlos Ramos says he does not have "a deep knowledge of what was approved," but that he hopes "that the Government has taken into account the concern that the sector was showing" and claimed two requirements: that there is a warranty of the suitability of the drivers through the presentation of criminal record — that the Ministry of the Environment have confirmed to the Observer to be expected — and the assessment of the mental and physical condition of the driver.

Questioned by the Observer about this matter, Uber declined to comment, and, up to the time that this article was published, Cabify also had not yet given a statement.