Turkey's Taxi Drivers Rage Against Uber
The roads of Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, are the scene of an increasingly bitter confrontation between taxi drivers and drivers of the new ride-hailing service Uber. Numerous videos shot by terrified Uber passengers are circulating on the internet that show taxi drivers attacking Uber vehicles.
“We experience personally verbal attacks, as well as increasing violence like kicking and attacking our cars, as well as blocking our way,” explained 22-year-old Mehmet, who only wanted to give his first name.
Local media have reported Uber drivers being called out to remote locations, where they have been attacked by unknown assailants. Accusations of violence are denied by the taxi industry.
But the attacks on Ubers have seen many people rally to their support. Comments on social media appear to be overwhelmingly in favor of Uber, with “#idon’tusetaxis” and “#don’ttouchuber” becoming popular hashtags in Turkey.
Unlike in many other countries, Uber in Turkey is usually a little more expensive than taxis. But the usually modern minivans, which offer plenty of space, are proving increasingly popular in Istanbul in contrast with often cramped and old taxis.
Uber’s system of paying an agreed fee by credit card in advance is especially popular among many Istanbul users. Many people in Istanbul have stories of being overcharged by taxi drivers. There is a recent story that made headlines involving a Saudi tourist who wanted to go to the airport and was taken on an hours-long tour of the city. It cost him several hundred dollars and he missed his flight.
Taxi drivers say they are facing unfair competition. "Our income has fallen 30-35 percent [because of Uber]... Every day is worse than the day before," says Mehmet Aktas, a taxi driver of 17 years.
Eyup Aksu, head of the Chamber of Istanbul Taxi Businesses, said the display of anger is a warning.
"If our parliament doesn’t carry out the necessary regulation... then the patience of the taxi drivers will run out, and they will do anything for their bread and for their work,” said Aksu.
