Transportation Dept: Uber Taxi is Illegal!

Jakarta Vice Governor Basuki T Purnama disclosed that Uber lavish rental taxi company does not have permit yet to operate in Jakarta. Therefore, he assessed the company which offers its service via online could threaten the existence of other taxi companies.

Yes, it (Uber) is harming. If you wanted to obey the law and regulation, that (company) must be stopped

“Yes, it (Uber) is harming. If you wanted to obey the law and regulation, that (company) must be stopped,” he stated, Tuesday (8/19).

Basuki stressed that Uber taxi company must immediately process public transport operational permit to Jakarta Transportation Department. In addition, they also must follow the regulations applied in Jakarta by paying tax.

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“Legal taxi company pays tax and their tariff is approved by Jakarta Provincial Government. Now, compare it with taxi company with no permit, does not pay tax, and gives cheaper price to passengers. If using the principles of justice, do they (Uber) want to make all taxi companies go bankrupt?” he expressed.

Responding this matter, Head of Jakarta Transportation Department, M Akbar, asserted that Uber taxi company is illegal and never process operational permit to his department.

“It (Uber) includes illegal taxi,” he said.

According to the rule, onboard a vehicle and there is payment transaction is categorized as public transport. Although Uber rental taxi payment uses credit card, it is still illegal. The company still has to process operational permit first before operating in Jakarta. Among the requirements to meet by the company are follow KIR test and use yellow license plate.

For information, Uber lavish rental taxi started operating in Jakarta since Wednesday (8/13). To use its service, people must first download Uber application on their mobile devices. Its tariff is similar to regular taxis which based on time and distance, but in minimum price. By downloading Uber app, users can monitor Uber taxis’ positions and availability on their devices. At this time, Uber service concentrates in CBD Sudirman and Kuningan areas. It provides lavish cars like Toyota Camry, Alphard, until Mercedes Benz S-Class.