Uber cars attacked at Mexico City airport – Video
A violent crowd attacked Uber car’s and their drivers with clubs and stones outside the Mexico City airport, the company said Wednesday, as city taxi drivers demonstrated to demand a “total halt” to app-based rideshare services in the capital. Video of the clash showed people throwing eggs and flour inside the windows of cars, kicking doors and trying to rip off vehicles side mirrors. One man destroyed a sedan’s rear window with a large stone.
“What happened is a very grave attack on everyone’s freedom and right to make a living in a dignified manner,” Uber said in a statement. “Incidents like this are completely unacceptable, and we trust that authorities will act so that justice is done.”
The rioters and the taxi drivers’ demonstration outside the Colombian Embassy to proclaim solidarity with cabbies in that country and around the globe are a clear signal that recently issued regulations designed to create a legal framework for their enemy Uber and the smaller Cabify have not put an end to Mexico City’s disturbing taxi dispute.
Uber head spokeswoman Rocio Paniagua told Televisa news that between 10 and 12 vehicles were damaged in the attack on Tuesday. Some drivers were injured, but there were no reports of serious injuries.
She said taxi cars were used to block off the street, but those who took part were not carrying anything significant to identify who they were.
At Wednesday’s riot, leaders of the Organized Taxi Drivers of Mexico City union denied any association in the “regrettable” uprising. They promised to pursue only legal justice, and said the attack was carried out by people fed up with Uber drivers parking in their streets for airport pickups.
Earlier this month Mexico City became the first city in South America to set down official regulations for smartphone-based ride services like Uber and others.
They call for the corporations to pay 1.5 percent of fares to a fund for improving transportation; require drivers to register and submit to annual inspections; and bar them from accepting cash or establishing the equivalent of taxi stands.
taxi drivers questioned whether Uber drivers may have been breaking that last rule by parking outside the airport streets. Paniagua said the company’s drivers are not permitted to wait on airport grounds, so they stay in the surrounding neighborhoods until customers who summoned rides are in a place where they can be picked up.
Several dozen local medallion-cab drivers rallied at the demonstration, setting off firecrackers. They hoisted signs calling rideshare operators “criminals” and being angry at Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera for letting them operate.
They vowed to continue protesting for the regulations to be repealed or modified until they feel there is a truly fair playing field.
“These transnational applications are infiltrating different countries as an economic parasite, endangering the livelihood of thousands of taxi drivers and their families and devouring the market for the legally established service,” union official Ignacio Rodriguez said.
However, Uber is increasingly getting even more popular among middle- and upper-class Mexicans as they turn to what they consider a safer, more reliable, cleaner, more pleasant, convenient and cost-competitive alternative to street taxis.
In a recent poll, 80% of Mexico City residents surveyed gave Uber highly positive ratings, compared with 52 percent for medallion taxis. Just 12 percent said they backed a ban on Uber. And we are guessing the 12% is the family and friends of the taxi drivers.
Francisco Rodriguez Esquivel, a 61-year-old who has been driving a taxi for 15 years, said the airport attack was the “unfortunate” but unsurprising result of built up frustration.
“I think it’s a logical consequence, that people start to get desperate because these companies continue to work and are probably even laughing at us,” Rodriguez said. “The struggle continues, and it is going to continue until this gets fixed.”