The funding obtained by the start-up Uber, also supported by Google, implicitly values it at tens of billions of dollars, but the app - which offers taxi services by connecting those who have a car with those who need to move - is entangled in various disputes in different countries. Ordinary cabbies are up in arms to prevent this dangerous entrant, and some cities have banned these services. An unexpected support came this morning from an editorial on the semi-official Chinese site Chinadaily.com.cn which describes the strikes by taxi drivers in some Chinese cities.
Based on the current business model, taxi services in China are monopolized by government-licensed taxi companies. And the rates are also approved by local authorities. Individual taxi drivers, who complain that most of their income goes to the companies they work for, are not happy and would like more freedom and more competition in their sector. Even if that means, perhaps, the drivers will go to work for Uber and not the cab companies.
