Eyewitness News: Uber will leave us jobless

Taxi unions argue that Uber represents unfair competition because its drivers do not face the same license fees and other taxes, allowing them to charge much less for rides.

Lits says the “outdated” legislation was adopted long before advances in smart phone technology made Uber’s business plan possible.

“There cannot be a blanket ban… you (Delhi government) can impose some conditions which they have to fulfill”, the court said.

In a major relief to taxi-hailing firm Uber, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday set aside an order of the local government that barred the taxi aggregator to operate vehicles in the national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi.

In a teleconference from Madrid, the leader of the Elite Taxi organization, Miguel Chacon, said drivers from the Spanish capital would protest in front of the Mexican embassy on July 29 in support of their Mexican peers. He directed the authorities to grant a conditional permission.

“We have always had huge faith in the country’s judiciary and welcome the order of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court invalidating the coercive actions against our driver-partners; actions which have affected thousands of drivers and their families in Delhi who are dependent on Uber’s technology for a better livelihood”.

The court also said that since it had on June 11 set aside Delhi government’s June 3 order (by which application for licence of Ola was rejected), Uber India was “entitled” to a similar relief. “We are committed to working with the government to develop a regulatory framework that encourages innovation”, said Gagan Bhatia, the company’s general manager in Delhi. However, Uber cabs have been operating in Delhi despite the ban. According to the City’s JP Smith, more than 200 Uber vehicles have been impounded since January.

He further clarifies that drivers earn up to 80% commission of the fare that the company receives from a credit or debit card payment from the commuter.

Launched in 2009, Uber is one of the most heavily funded online ride sharing companies in the world.

For latest news on mobile and tablet, download IndiaTV Android app and iOS app. In line with this strategy, Uber has recently named ex- Rent.com official Amit Jain as the first president for India operations.