Uber welcomes the East Java provincial government’s official acknowledgement of ridesharing apps in its province. With that, Uber and the various ridesharing mobility options are now fully engrained into East Java’s public transportation ecosystem.

“We truly appreciate that East Java has now acknowledged ridesharing applications as a legitimate part of the urban mobility ecosystem, within the guidelines of the Indonesian government’s legal framework,” said Head of Public Affairs and Government Relation, Indonesia, Uber, John Colombo in his opening remarks at the East Java ridesharing launch ceremony in the provincial capital of Surabaya.

“Ridesharing applications like Uber, along with taxis, minibuses and motorcycle taxis, can coexist and thrive together in all Indonesian cities. The public transportation ecosystem offers a range of mobility options to various rider segments, giving people the freedom to choose and take rides, or order rides through online apps.”

East Java Governor Soekarwo says his office will continue to hold dialogue with various stakeholders and hopes all modes of transport – be it app-based or conventional – can all coexist and continue giving the best service to citizens and visitors in East Java.

In showing our commitment to working alongside public transportation in Surabaya, particularly minibuses, Uber has donated portable wifi sets to 50 minibuses for the benefit of riders and drivers alike. We’ve also donated tires to 50 other minibuses. Governor Soekarwo hopes these donations will mark the start of a wide range of future co-operations across different modes of transport.

Uber’s main transportation co-operative in East Java, Koperasi Wiratama Mandiri Sejahtera, is also working hard to advocate the need for driver partners to abide by the existing legal framework for ridesharing companies, which involves the need to apply for commercial vehicle licensing (KIR) and ‘A Public’ class driver’s licenses for commercial vehicles.