France is looking to shield its taxi drivers from Uber by adopting some of the very business practices utilized by the tech upstart, Reuters reported Tuesday (Aug. 18). The key initiative is the adoption of a nationally oriented “electronic availability register” that has some of the hallmarks of Uber’s ride-sharing software.
Reuters reported that the plan was created in a draft decree that was lodged with the European Commission earlier in August. That decree would, according to the newswire, “put flesh on the bones” of the law that is already in place that curtails UberPOP and peer ride-sharing companies.
The law traces its roots back to October 2014, and it states that private car owners cannot use what is termed as “electronic cruising.” That type of “cruising” is a method of creating business wherein geolocation software connects drivers with would-be passengers.
As Reuters noted, France is one of several nations where “traditional” cab companies are fighting back against Uber and other ride-sharing companies. UberPOP was suspended over this summer.
Yet now, with the creation of the decree just a few weeks ago and the attendant “availability register” that may take shape, Uber told Reuters through an emailed statement that the motions by the French government seem to show that the legislation previously banning electronic cruising is actually against the EU law. Uber still maintains that the French restrictions on ride-sharing are illegal, and the matter is still under consideration by the commission.
A commission spokesperson told Reuters that the “draft decree is the application of the law of Oct. 1, 2014″ and stated that it was “one of the elements of the modernization of the taxi profession,” which was furthered by a July meeting between officials.
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