Keep Taipei Moving

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Improving Taipei transportation and livelihoods

Months ago, Uber Taipei launched uberX, a ridesharing platform embraced by hundreds of cities around the world. Ridesharing allows Taipei residents with vehicles and spare time to share their resources with the rest of the city. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese people have chosen uberX for safe, reliable, and affordable rides. Thousands more have become uberX drivers, boosting their incomes by as much as 50% each month.

Regulatory barriers to innovation and financial opportunity

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is no friend of innovation or economic opportunity for Taiwan. The MOTC is publicly attacking progress by fining uberX drivers and suspending their vehicles, so they can no longer provide rides to anyone, including their families. They are limiting consumer choice and hurting the livelihood of uberX drivers. They claim they are protecting consumer rights, despite denying Taipei citizens the right to choose how get around their city.

Voices supporting uberX

Taipei legislators and academic experts have stood up in support of Uber innovation in transportation. For example, Legislator Lee 李昆澤 sees the potential of ride-sharing, saying that “Since this is a product that consumers love, the government should find a way to regulate it”. Professor Lee 李克聰 of Feng Chia University said that “Uber could fill demand not met by the taxis. The MOTC should think of how to incorpoate Uber into the laws. Simply issuing fines causes a losing situation for Uber, Riders, and the MOTC.” Lastly, former President of Google Greater China, Lee Kai-Fu 李開復, stated that if the government is using outdated regulations on new technologies, it will cause Taiwan to completely miss this high tech revolution.

We ask Ministers, the Mayor, and legislators to join in support of transportation innovation

We look forward to meeting with Minister of Transportation and Communications 交通部葉部長, Minister of Economic and Affairs 經濟部鄧部長 , newly-appointed Taipei City Mayor Ke 柯文哲. Legislator Ting 丁守中委員, Legislator Lee 李昆澤委員 and Legislator Hsieh 謝國樑委員, to discuss how we can work together to encourage innovation and create economic efficiency through ridesharing in Taiwan.

Taiwan needs ridesharing

The world is embracing ride-sharing and Taiwan consumers are embracing ride-sharing. We hope that Taiwan will embrace its reputation as a city that encourages innovation so that this transportation option can continue into the future. If you would like to have Taiwan to continue to have ridesharing, please leave your comment on this Facebook post to make your voice heard

Here are the facts

Misconception: Uber is unsafe
Fact: Uber has an excellent safety track-record in Taiwan and around the world.
Uber conducts background checks through the Taiwan Police and Taipei City Motor Vehicles Department, a process more rigorous than that required by any other ground transport option in Taipei. All cars on the Uber platform are insured. Uber’s rating systems encourage top-level service and ensure only the best drivers remain on the platform. Riders choose Uber because they value safety.

Misconception: Uber takes away jobs
Fact: Uber boosts jobs and income in Taiwan
In a city where the starting salary of “22k” has not risen in 10 years, Uber provides incremental earning opportunities to middle-class workers. uberX drivers range from single parents who want to provide a better life for their children to under-employed workers with time to contribute to their city. Average drivers supplement their monthly incomes by 50% through uberX.

Misconception: Uber refuses to comply by local law
Fact: Uber is working closely with policy-makers to update outdated regulations to include ridesharing.
Uber is committed to a world where transport regulations encourage safety, job growth, consumer choice, and fairness. We are in dialogue with policy-makers to integrate ride-sharing into out-dated regulations, written over 30 years ago, well before mobile phones and smart technology existed.

Misconception: Uber is being shunned around the world
Fact: Governments around the world have begun to recognize the positive impact Uber brings to its cities.
In hundreds of cities around the world, Uber is providing an affordable, safe, and reliable ride. We expect well over 1 billion trips to take place next year. Many cities have had complete integration of ride-sharing into regulations.