This week's top 3 stories: New ride-hailing laws in the Czech and Slovak Republics, Uber's latest employment status headache, and the EU imposes tariffs on Chinese e-bikes.
1. Czech and Slovak Republics both amending laws on ride-hailing
New regulations for ride hailing services are on the horizon in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Taxify announced earlier this week that it will be pulling out of four Czech provincial cities until new regulations are in place. The Czech Government is working on an amendment to the existing road transport regulations which will remove the obligation on passenger transport vehicles to have taximeters installed. Coincidentally, an identical amendment to Slovakia's Road Transport Law will come into effect in April 2019.
2. Uber facing employment status challenges in the UK and France
Uber has faced rulings over the employment status of its drivers in both the UK and France this week. In the UK, the Appeals Court upheld previous rulings stating that Uber drivers are workers, rather than self-employed contractors, and are therefore entitled to paid holiday, a minimum wage and rest breaks. Uber has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. In France meanwhile, a recent ruling has given ride hailing drivers seeking worker status renewed hope that they might be successful. A recent ruling that a bicycle courier at now-defunct Take Eat Easy should be given employee status has been seized upon by lawyers representing some ride hailing drivers as precedent that drivers should be classified in the same manner.
3. EU approves new tariffs on Chinese electric bikes
EU Member States have approved the implementation of duties on Chinese electric bike imports. The European Commission, which is investigating on behalf of the 28 EU members, has proposed that definitive or final tariffs of between 18.8 and 79.3 per cent should apply for all electric bikes coming from China. Definitive duties typically apply for five years.
This is a weekly note covering the top three developments in the regulation of on-demand transport in Europe. It covers taxis, ride-sharing, car sharing, carpooling, bikes, e-bikes, scooters, shared mopeds and anything else that's relevant to the sector. If you'd like to receive this direct to your inbox then please enter your email address below:
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