Madrid says no to Uber ride-share

MADRID’S regional government has joined Cataluña in pursuing ridesharing service Uber.

The company uses a smartphone application to connect passengers with drivers in an ostensibly private arrangement that licensed taxi-drivers condemn as unfair competition.

The scheme launched last April in Barcelona, where new regional laws will protect cabdrivers and fine Uber drivers. The service reached Madrid some weeks ago and Uber predictably failed to present an administrative licence within the time limit stipulated by autonomous government.

At present Uber users do not risk being sanctioned but both the company and drivers face fines of between €4,000 and €6,000, with €18,000 for repeat offenders.