Jakarta taxi drivers hold violent protest over ride-hailing apps

JAKARTA — Thousands of Indonesian taxi and motorised rickshaw drivers staged a violent protest yesterday against Uber and other ride-hailing services, blocking major roads in the capital, clashing with drivers from app-based rivals and setting tyres alight.

The protesters adorned their vehicles with signs saying "stop illegal taxis" and staged a noisy rally in front of Parliament, in an upsurge of anger at ride-hailing apps after weeks of simmering tension.

As convoys of vehicles brought downtown Jakarta to a standstill, the protest turned violent, with taxi drivers jumping up and down on vehicles that refused to take part, drivers working for app-based services coming under attack, and some fighting back by hurling rocks.

Some people were left bloodied and bruised, with at least one person needing hospital treatment, while police detained 60 drivers from popular motorbike taxi-hailing service Go-Jek.

Anger has been growing among taxi drivers worldwide at the challenge presented by United States company Uber, one of the world's most valuable start-ups, and a flurry of other app-based services that typically offer cheaper fares than traditional transport operators.

"I want them to shut down Uber, GrabCar, Go-Jek because they are ruining us," said Mr Dudin Suhendri, a 58-year-old Jakarta taxi driver taking part in the protest, naming several popular ride-hailing apps.

He said his typical daily income had fallen from 300,000 rupiah (S$40) to just 100,000 rupiah because of the increased competition.

The demonstration came after weeks of rising tension between traditional public transport operators in the sprawling, traffic-clogged metropolis of 10 million and a flurry of new ride-hailing services.

Traditional taxi, motorbike taxi and other public transport drivers are angry that the new services are offering rides at lower prices, claiming they are not paying taxes, and are operating without official permits.

"Why should thousands of people who didn't pay tax, get a permit or undergo car checks roam the roads freely while we have had to fulfil those duties?" said protester Yohannis Rorimpandey, who works for Blue Bird, one of Indonesia's biggest taxi groups.

Source: Jakarta taxi drivers hold violent protest over ride-hailing apps