France cracks down on Uber after taxi driver protests
Updated: 2015-06-26 10:20
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Taxi drivers on strike burn tyres during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille, France, June 25, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
PARIS - France ordered a nationwide clampdown on UberPOP on Thursday, siding with taxi drivers who blockaded major transport hubs in angry protests against the popular online ride-sharing service.
Furious at what they regard as unfair competition, cabbies blocked roads to the capital's airports, overturned cars and burned tyres to press for the scheme to be abolished.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls condemned the violence and incidents "on both sides" as the government sought to take a tough stand on the protests while backing the drivers' case.
"They give a deplorable image to visitors to our country," he said during a visit to Colombia, adding that all available legal measures would be taken to halt the UberPOP activity.
Police said 70 cars were damaged and seven police officials injured in the protests. Ten people were arrested.
The protests were among the fiercest in a series of strikes and other demonstrations across Europe against San Francisco-based Uber, whose backers including investment bank Goldman Sachs and technology giant Google. It is valued in excess of $40 billion.
Related Stories
UK taxi drivers stage protests against 'Uber' 2014-09-25 09:17
Taxi-Uber drivers clash in Paris 2015-06-18 10:38
Regulations concerning the passenger’s claim for bodily damages during a taxi accident 2015-06-12 11:24
Taxi crackdown ensnares Didi Kuaidi app service 2015-06-08 11:52
Taxi sector reform heralded 2015-06-04 07:56
Today's Top News
France orderes nationwide clampdown on Uber
No rest until sweeping victory against drugs, Xi says
Italy, France accept gaokao scores
More people around world like China, survey finds
Russia to extend food import ban against western countries
Netizens stunned by end of Liu Xiang's 290-day marriage
Hollande urges Obama to stop espionage on allies
FM: Chinese visitors enjoy better visa policies
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |