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France says 'non' to UberPop

Ridesharing service hit with ban by Le Frenchy Feds

Uber has once again found itself running afoul of a government, this time in a form of a ban on the company's UberPop service in France.

The New York Times reported that the nation has moved to kill off the controversial Uber ride-sharing service in France following pressure from professional taxi drivers and their industry associations.

UberPop operated in France as a ride-sharing service. Customers could order a ride through the Uber app and have another person pick them up in their personal car and take them to a destination for a fee.

Because UberPop had billed itself as a ride-sharing service and not as commercial car service, it was not subject to the restrictions and requirements for commercial cars in France. The company had previously won a court case challenging the service in Paris.

Both Uber and UberX services operate in France as professional services with limits on what cars can be driven and requirements that drivers have commercial permits.

Taxi authorities had charged that the service had effectively operated as an unlicensed taxi service. Similar charges have been made against UberX services in other cities around the world as taxi authorities and local governments have fought against the company.

A new law, set to take effect January 1, would extend the permit requirements to any driver who gave a ride for profit, meaning UberPop would no longer be legal.

Uber could still operate the regular Uber and UberX services in France, though both of those services are subject to other rules including a mandatory 15 minute waiting period designed to distinguish the hired car services from registered taxis. ®

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