Brazil: Uber protests reach Rio’s streets

Thousands of taxi drivers gathered to block one of Rio de Janeiro’s busiest roads, in protest against controversial taxi-hailing app Uber. The company has faced a series of challenges around the world.

The protest blocked the main arter of Av. Aterro de Flamengo, which connects the wealthy neighbourhoods of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblón. Aerial footage showed around 2000 cars, their drivers standing alongside them, bearing cardbord signs and Brazilian flags.

“The protest is aimed at all kinds of ‘pirate’ taxi services, mainly the Uber app.” said the president of Rio de Janeiro’s regional Taxi Drivers’ council, José Marcos Bezerra.

Uber registers private drivers, enlisting luxury cars to offer a parallel taxi service. The company, which has faced similar protests in other Brazilian cities and around the world, took advantage of the situation.

“Since today the traffic is heavy, all Rio de Janeiro users will receive 2 complimentary trips worth up to 50 reales” the company stated through social networks.

Source: El Economista

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