Uber effect! Paris taxis block highway to urge ban on Uber cab service

Paris, Dec 15: Taxi drivers are blocking some roads around Paris and its airports to urge the French government to ban ride-hailing service Uber.

The demonstration today comes as France's Interior Ministry says UberPop, the company's low-cost service, will be outlawed as of January 1, when a new law tightens regulations for chauffeured rides.

About 200 taxis blocked the roads heading from the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. France is the latest of several places where Uber has faced challenges to its service, which matches people seeking rides with drivers through a cell phone app.

Traditional taxis say Uber has an unfair advantage because its drivers don't face the same requirements, insurance and taxes.

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Pierre-Henry Brandet, told iTele a 2015 law would effectively ban Uber's lowest-cost option.

PTI