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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Taipei to fine Uber for illegal scooter ride-hailing

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Taipei's Public Transportation Office is investigating Uber for using scooters for ride-hailing services.
  • The platform operator is accused of operating a ride-hailing service without proper approval, prompting a probe and a demand to cease recruitment and operations.
  • The office emphasizes that current laws do not permit scooter ride-hailing, citing safety and insurance concerns, and warns against illegal operations.

Taipei's Public Transportation Office is taking a firm stance against Uber's scooter ride-hailing service, Uber eMoto. The office announced on July 15 that it has received complaints and is investigating the platform operator for allegedly operating a ride-hailing service using scooters without proper authorization.

The platform operator using scooters for ride-hailing services has not been approved to operate a motor transport business.

— Taipei Public Transportation OfficeStating the reason for the investigation into Uber's scooter ride-hailing service.

Uber eMoto, which offers ride-hailing services via scooter, is now under scrutiny. The Public Transportation Office has formally requested explanations from Uber's operating entities, Youyou Xingfuli Formosa Co., Ltd. and Uber Formosa Co., Ltd., as well as the drivers. The office has demanded an immediate halt to the recruitment of drivers and the provision of ride-hailing services using electric scooters through the Uber platform.

The city government reiterates that any illegal operating model that circumvents laws and disrupts market order will not be tolerated, and illegal ride-hailing behavior will not be allowed to continue.

— Taipei Public Transportation OfficeEmphasizing the city's strict stance against unregulated services.

The city government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for illegal business models that circumvent regulations or disrupt market order. It stressed that current laws in Taiwan do not permit scooters to be used for commercial ride-hailing. The office warned that operators should not use promotional tactics like free rides to force market acceptance of services that lack legal standing.

Currently, regulations do not permit scooters for commercial ride-hailing services.

— Taipei Public Transportation OfficeClarifying the legal status of scooter ride-hailing in Taipei.

Beyond operational permits, the office highlighted significant public safety and passenger protection concerns. It stated that the current system lacks comprehensive insurance and liability mechanisms for scooter-based ride-hailing. This could lead to major disputes regarding insurance claims, accident responsibility, and passenger rights if incidents occur. The city is unwilling to expose its citizens to risks associated with incomplete legal frameworks and inadequate protections.

The current system has not established complete insurance and liability mechanisms. Once a traffic accident occurs, it will lead to major disputes regarding insurance claims, accident responsibility, and passenger rights protection.

— Taipei Public Transportation OfficeExplaining the safety and insurance risks associated with scooter ride-hailing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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