Brisbane Uber attacks: Two charged over series of driver assaults

The taxi industry counters that Uber is violating both a parish ordinance requiring all commercial drivers in Jefferson to have “certificates of public necessity and convenience”, or CPNCs, and state laws mandating specialized licenses and plates for commercial drivers.

Two Uber drivers were among drivers attacked in their cars in a spate of early-morning assaults across Brisbane’s inner city on Monday.

“We cannot run 60 miles down to Grand Isle, let’s put Uber down there in the marshes, where they can serve and they can be respected on that area”, said Herman Woods, also a taxi driver.

Smith, who was still awaiting a decision on his request Wednesday evening, said he also is seeking a permanent injunction against Uber.

The victim said he saw the group get into a maxi taxi after he was attacked. He said he has been able to get Uber drivers to pick him up at various locations in the parish, including the airport.

“They started throwing punches… punches everywhere”, he said.

Jefferson Parish taxi driver Niran Gunasekara said the parish’s warnings have all been ignored.

“Basically they were laughing at the whole incident… that’s the most disturbing thing”.

No arrests have been made in relation to the allegations and police are still trying to track down the men involved.

“There is no place for violence in a civilised society”, the statement read.

“Any driver who is criminally charged will be disaffiliated and stopped from driving a Black & White Cab”.

The ride-sharing company suggested there could be a link between the attacks and the “intimidation” campaign they say the Taxi Council Queensland have launched against the popular app.

“Brisbane is a really peaceful city and it’s a shame it’s happened”.

But it appeared from speakers’ remarks Wednesday that that situation changed when cabbies began purchasing Uber rides in Jefferson, jotting down details about the drivers and cars that picked them up and turning that information over to the parish attorney.