Taiwan is planning to introduce its own version of Uber within two months. That’s the word from Transportation Minister Ho Chen Tan on Tuesday.
Ho Chen’s comments came a day after more than 1,000 taxi drivers drove their cabs to the Legislature to protest against the online taxi-hailing service. Chanting “fighting for justice, seeking survival,” taxi drivers demanded a government crackdown. Though technically illegal, Uber has flourished in Taiwan as in many other countries.
Speaking to local media, Ho Chen promised to continue cracking down on the service. However, he said the government will introduce Taiwan’s own version of Uber to boost the competitiveness of taxi drivers. Ho Chen said, "I think we will discuss with taxi drivers within the shortest possible time about how to develop a variety of services, including Internet-based ones. Actually, the services have started already though they are little known to the public. We hope to introduce and promote Taiwan’s own version of Uber to the public within two months."
Ho Chen said the sharing economy is a global trend and that Taiwan should have its own way of connecting taxi drivers and passengers.