Uber protest calls for level playing field with traditional taxis

Uber drivers staged a go-slow protest through Brussels on Thursday morning during rush hour, calling on regional authorities to level the playing field between traditional taxi drivers and those working for apps such as Uber and Bolt.

Drivers for the gig apps say their wages are getting lower and lower.

“We have seen a considerable drop in our income since the taxi ordinance of 9 June 2022, which was supposed to be fair between taxi drivers,” said platform driver Redouane.

“This is no longer tenable for us. We are asking to be allowed to use the bus lanes, just like [traditional] taxi drivers.”

Platform drivers say they want a higher minimum fare and to pay less commission to the app companies, noting that Uber, for example, increased its cut from 25% to 35%.

But an Uber spokesperson said that these figures were not technically accurate: “In Belgium, Uber applies variable service fees ranging from 3% to 35%, set according to several factors, including the type of journey. The average percentage is actually around 25%.”

An estimated 50 to 100 vehicles took part in the protest, which was monitored closely by police and did not appear to cause much disruption.