More than 100 taxis blocked traffic in central Budapest on Monday as drivers demanded a ban on Uber and similar apps.
Vehicles from various taxi blocked a junction near St. Stephen's Basilica, causing serious traffic problems.
The protest began early in the morning with drivers parking in various lanes of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky and Andrassy avenues. The protest turned into a full road blockade late in the afternoon after discussions with state and municipal officials did not yield immediate results.
Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass temporarily, but in the afternoon the protesters opened a lane for everyone. They have pledged to stay until Wednesday, when the Hungarian is expected to discuss the issue.
Earlier, taxi drivers had gone to city hall to present their demands, but although the mayor expressed his support, local authorities do not have the right to stop the app from operating.
One driver said Uber and similar apps avoid the regulations and licensing issues that all taxis must follow.
“We are calling on Uber, as an app or as an activity, to cease operations. It has implemented a double standard. Nothing applies to it while everything applies to us!”
Another driver estimated that the app takes 50-60% of taxi trips. “Unfortunately for them it works very well, unlike for us,” he said.
The company has 1,200 drivers and 80,000 users in Budapest!
