From Times Live

The Western Cape government has finally approved metered taxi operating licences for Uber drivers following a week of public mudslinging between the two parties.

The Transport Department’s Provincial Regulatory Entity late yesterday said it had approved 201 metered taxi operating licences, 142 of which were for Uber “partners”.

Uber, which links commuters with its taxicab partners via a smartphone app, had criticised the government’s failure to issue operating licences and its impounding over 200 of their vehicles.

Across the globe, countries are trying to find ways of dealing with the Uber phenomenon as resistance grows from traditional taxi operators. But experts said it was up to taxi drivers to become more tech-savvy to compete.

Uber drivers will soon need permits to work in Mexico City and the company will have to pay into a transport fund, according to a draft government plan.

This will be the first such regulation in Latin America.

Lawmakers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, have voted to ban Uber after protests by local taxi drivers. The bill to ban it still requires executive approval.

This week South Africa saw incidents of intimidation of Uber drivers and users in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Transport economist Andrew Marsay said: “The last thing you want to do is put obstacles in the way of technology. The best thing, if you want to regulate, is try and engage constructively.”

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