Turkish drivers group says Uber unfairly skirts rules

By Sevgi Ceren Gokkoyun

ANKARA (AA) - Ride-sharing businesses such as Uber unfairly compete with taxi companies as they ignore the rules that cabs have to follow, said the head of a professional drivers federation on Thursday.

In a written statement, Fevzi Apaydin, head of the Turkish Drivers and Automobile Operators Association, said private transportation services are subject to the Road Traffic Act, accusing Uber of running an illegal taxi service.

"Point-to point transportation services can only be operated by cabs equipped with meters," Apaydin said.

Apaydin said all private transportation operations except for metered taxis are in violation of the regulations, calling them "pirate transport" firms.

"The untaxed income of this illegal system is making taxpaying taxi drivers, who are operating legally in the same sector, face unfair competition," he added.

As in other countries worldwide, Uber has incited the anger of Turkish cabs drivers since its foray into the Turkish market in 2014.

Taxi operators accuse the ride-sharing system of putting metered taxi drivers out of business by charging lower prices.

On March 12, an Istanbul court heard a lawsuit filed against Uber by Turkey’s United Taxi Drivers Association.

The suit asks the government to block Uber’s application to offer transportation services.

The hearing on the lawsuit is due to reconvene on June 4.