Economy
Hungary does not want to ban Uber - gov't official
The cabinet is not against modern methods and it has not crated any of the rules to ban Uber or other companies engaged in similar activities but to make sure these activities are carried out within the limits of local regulations.
Uber representatives argued that their service is modern and novel. The government did not contest these but argued that modernity cannot be used as a shield to ignore local regulations, Fónagy said.
Uber insisted it intends to remain in Hungary and requested to start professional talks for local compliance. Officials of tax authority NAV, the transportation authority and the Ministry of the Interior partook in the consultation. They promised that further professional talks will take place both in respect to both the dispatch and taxi services, the state secretary added.
Fónagy underlined that Uber drivers currently do not comply with either the personal or material conditions required to offer cab services and regulations on dispatch services are not respected either. Uber’s Netherlands-based headquarters did not even ask permission for the latter, which was pointed out to them now.
The European Commission is to call on European Union member states not to ban or limit services such as Uber and Airbnb, in a bid to head off a regulatory onslaught from national authorities on the "sharing economy" in Europe, The Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Bans on services should be a "measure of last resort" for governments, according to draft guidelines seen by the FT to be published on Thursday.Addressing this report Fónagy said that in consideration of the fact that nearly all EU member states are combatting the modern but highly aggressive market behaviour hurting which hurts entrepreneurs any such common measure by the EU should be welcomed. He added that in the case of Uber it is not sharing rides but conducts a passenger transport service for a fee. He noted that the proposal to be presented by Brussels does not mean limitless freedom but - in view of the report - tough conditions also for the service providers.
Uber representatives argued that their service is modern and novel. The government did not contest these but argued that modernity cannot be used as a shield to ignore local regulations, Fónagy said.
Uber insisted it intends to remain in Hungary and requested to start professional talks for local compliance. Officials of tax authority NAV, the transportation authority and the Ministry of the Interior partook in the consultation. They promised that further professional talks will take place both in respect to both the dispatch and taxi services, the state secretary added.
Fónagy underlined that Uber drivers currently do not comply with either the personal or material conditions required to offer cab services and regulations on dispatch services are not respected either. Uber’s Netherlands-based headquarters did not even ask permission for the latter, which was pointed out to them now.
The European Commission is to call on European Union member states not to ban or limit services such as Uber and Airbnb, in a bid to head off a regulatory onslaught from national authorities on the "sharing economy" in Europe, The Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Bans on services should be a "measure of last resort" for governments, according to draft guidelines seen by the FT to be published on Thursday.Addressing this report Fónagy said that in consideration of the fact that nearly all EU member states are combatting the modern but highly aggressive market behaviour hurting which hurts entrepreneurs any such common measure by the EU should be welcomed. He added that in the case of Uber it is not sharing rides but conducts a passenger transport service for a fee. He noted that the proposal to be presented by Brussels does not mean limitless freedom but - in view of the report - tough conditions also for the service providers.
