Indonesian cabbies protest against apps
Print Edition
THOUSANDS of Indonesian taxi drivers yesterday staged a violent protest against Uber and other ride-hailing services, blocking major roads in the capital, clashing with drivers from their app-based rivals and setting tires alight.
The protesters, who included motorized rickshaw and bus drivers, adorned their vehicles with signs saying “stop illegal taxis” and rallied in front of parliament and the communications ministry, against the apps that they say are threatening their livelihoods.
As convoys of vehicles brought downtown Jakarta to a standstill, the demonstration turned violent, with protesters jumping up and down on vehicles that refused to take part, while taxi drivers and rivals from app-based services clashed and hurled rocks on a main thoroughfare.
Commuters faced rush-hour travel chaos, with even the motorcades of President Joko Widodo and the vice president getting stuck in the gridlock, making both men late for a meeting.
Anger has been growing among taxi drivers worldwide at the challenge presented by United States company Uber, one of the world’s most valuable start-ups, and a flurry of other app-based services that typically offer cheaper fares than traditional operators.
Herman, a 49-year-old taxi driver involved in the Jakarta protest who goes by one name, said his earnings had dwindled from about 250,00 rupiah (US$20) a day several months ago, to almost nothing due to the increased competition.
“I haven’t paid my rent, and I need to feed my three children and my wife,” he said.
As well as Uber, Malaysian app Grab and homegrown motorbike taxi-hailing app Go-Jek are providing stiff competition for Jakarta’s taxi drivers.
Traditional drivers are angry that the new services don’t pay taxes and operate without official permits. App-based services operate in a legal grey area in Indonesia, and there is an ongoing debate in the government about how to handle them.
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