Uber taxi service: 'Good for now, unpredictable safety'

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport Nguyen Thanh Chung said that Uber taxi service may be good in the short term but its safety is unpredictable.

Cars transporting passengers in the form of taxis through Uber software were fined for administrative violations by the HCM City Department of Transport inspectors.

During the questioning session of the Director of the HCM City Department of Transport by the HCM City People's Council today (December 11), People's Council delegate Pham Hieu Nghia raised the issue that has recently been of great public concern: Uber taxis and the management of Uber taxis.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chung, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, said that Uber taxi service is a new type that has not yet been regulated, managed, or registered. Passenger transport must be registered according to the law, so at this time, Uber's unregistered operations are illegal. In addition, the unit operating this type of transport does not pay taxes, and the drivers do not pay income tax.

“Uber may seem good at first glance, but behind it there are unsafe and unpredictable things like accidents, robberies, or even rapes like in India. That’s why many countries ban and do not recognize Uber taxis,” said Mr. Chung.

According to Mr. Chung, the HCM City Department of Transport has asked the Ministry of Transport to study the management regulations for this new type of service to ensure safety for users. In the immediate future, to operate a taxi, it is necessary to have a business registration for transportation activities, drivers must be trained like drivers of taxi companies, taxi vehicles must have stamps and brands for identification and management. Currently, the Ministry of Transport is reviewing regulations to manage Uber taxis.

According to Thanhnien