Protest Against Uber and Other Ride Sharing Apps Leads To Traffic Congestion In Jarkarta

Thousands of cab drivers jammed traffic in Jakarta and burned tires to protest against Uber

By launching a protest, many cab drivers have resulted in traffic congestion in Jakarta against rivalry from ride-sharing apps, such as Grab and Uber. On March 21, 2016, television footage showed a central expressway blocked by long lines of cabs, burning tires, and men jumping on automobiles refusing to protest with them. A report of Associated Press suggests drivers surrounding a cab, forcing its horrified female rider out on to the road with her baggage.

This is the second significant protest by cab drivers in March in the Indonesian capital. They aid rivalry from ride-sharing applications, which aren’t challenged by same regulations and costs as regular cabs, have severely cut down their income.

Most drivers came to the capital from other Indonesian cities to provide support to their families as cab drivers. Driver Jeffrey Sumampouw said his income has decreased by over 60% since the Californian organization and other app-based cab service providers achieved fame in the city about a year ago.

The transporter makes a big push in Asia, intensifying rivalry in an area where already many app-based ride companies were operating. Grab operates in many Southeast Asian states including Indonesia, where Indonesian startup Go-Jek, which deals in motorbike cabs, has also became quite popular in 2015.

Ignatius Jonan, who serves as the Transportation Minister of the Indonesian Government told companies, such as Uber, were illegal unless they are listed as public transport services and subjected to the same regulations as regular cab operators.

The country’s Communications Ministry said that companies could continue to operate. In the meantime, travel advice is updated by some states including Australia in relation to Indonesia due to the launch of the protests.

Police fired warning shots after cab drivers were attacked in terrible attacks during the huge protest against Grab and Uber that halted Jakarta traffic. In other news, Economic Times reported that Indian app based taxi service, Ola, was taken by Uber to the court. In a lawsuit filed in the Delhi High Court, the US organization alleged its rival of opening up fake rider accounts and providing misleading details to its driving partners.

The lawsuit is filed at a time when two cab companies are fighting a fierce battle to dominate the market. In the litigation, the transporter has sought "declaration, perpetual injunction and damages" against the Asian organization. It has accused Ola of interfering in the company’s business.