Share the #uberbxlove
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Lots of things have been happening in Brussels in the past few weeks: the Brussels regional government proposed new legislation that could ultimately allow ridesharing to exist under strict rules; the taxi-industry then blocked the streets of the capital for a day; and a few hotheads sadly showed aggressive behaviour towards uberPOP partner drivers.
We thought it would be a good idea to keep you up-to-date with our thoughts on these issues and to encourage you to join the #uberbxlove debate because it is about the future of mobility in Belgium which is such an important subject in one of the most congested cities on the planet.
An improved mobility mix
We believe Uber is bringing flexible, reliable, more affordable and safe solutions to Brussels’ mobility mix. Uber is complementary to existing transportation solutions such as trams, metros, Villos and taxis. We are all part of the same transport mix which will act as a reliable, safe and affordable alternative to running your own car. We are convinced there will always be demand for taxis as they can do things Uber cannot. They have exclusivity on street hailing, taxi stands and taxi lanes; and do not request the use of a smartphone.
Setting the record straight
We believe a lot of false information has been communicated ever since the release of the Brussel’s government’s policy proposal on the future of transport, and we would like to take this opportunity to set a couple of things straight:
- ALL trips in Brussels provided on the Uber platform are fully insured. On top of each individual driver’s insurance, every ride is covered by an additional insurance that covers the driver’s liability for property damage or bodily injury caused by the driver. It amounts to 4.3 million € per accident.
- Every Euro spent on the Uber platform is a taxable Euro, and all rides and transactions are 100% traceable. All driver-partner revenues are subject to Belgian social contributions and income taxation. Uber informs and educates the drivers on their tax obligations. In addition, Uber pays all Belgian applicable taxes (such as corporate income tax and payroll taxes) on the activity conducted by the company within Belgium. Moreover, the Uber platform is completely cashless, bringing transparency and traceability to an industry that is typically almost entirely cash-based.
- Technology and innovation have allowed Uber to significantly raise the bar in terms of safety, making Uber a safe urban transportation option. Uber emulates the offline controls used by existing players (strict background checks for all drivers), but also uses its advanced technology platform to augment user and driver safety. This means you know the name and registration number of your driver before they arrive and you can share the details of your ride with a friend or family member so they can track your live progress on a map.
The way forward – the pen should be mightier than the fist
Choice, efficiency and affordability in urban mobility are essential priorities in public policy and the Brussels government is bravely taking the lead from the heart of Europe with some new policy proposals. This is a development that Uber will continue to encourage. We hope that violence will not dictate the terms of the debate and that by collaborating and debating with all the actors in the industry the Brussels regional government can agree a long term framework around the future of mobility that is beneficial for all.
This is an important debate and we would love to hear your thoughts so feel free to use the #uberbxlove hashtag in all your @Uber_BXL tweets, Facebook posts or Instagram pictures!
Always at your service,
Filip
General Manager Uber Belgium