Mary O’Grady reports on the union’s opposition to Uber in Buenos Aires,
Center-right President Mauricio Macri, of the Republican Proposal Party (PRO), who was inaugurated in December, has promised an economic revival. But if entrenched interests win protection from the technological revolution, he isn’t likely to deliver.
On April 12, Uber ran out of patience and began offering its ride-sharing services in Buenos Aires without a permit or a tax-identification number. A group of taxi unions immediately filed a lawsuit demanding that the city prohibit Uber. The city responded with a legal action against the company for the misdemeanor of “improper use of public space for profit.”
Uber offered free rides for a week, got 250,000 app downloads, while 120,000 riders opened accounts, and received 175,000 trip requests.
The Spanish company Cabify, also an app-based mobility service, is operating in Argentina, and in Peru, Chile and Colombia.
Additionally, commenter at the WSJ pointed out the use of “remiseros”, private cars for hire that have been in use for decades (and cash-only). The difference now is the use of technology.
The taxi union’s boss won’t have any of Uber or Cabify. This time the very powerful unions have their work cut out for them.
UPDATE,
This morning’s tweet,
“The Uber got out of his car to open my door and waited to see me go in where I was going before he left. Not even my wife treats me that well.”
El Uber se bajó del auto para abrirme la puerta y esperó a verme entrar a donde iba antes de irse. Ni mi mujer me trata tan bien.
— Gustavo Beaverhausen (@MisOdios) May 2, 2016
