The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the Investment Commission has already made a decision that Uber will have to withdraw, and once decision is verified they will be able to carry out the punitive evacuation and cancel Uber’s operating license. In the future Uber will be forbidden from operating in Taiwan; however, after Uber receives the disciplinary order, they can still submit an appeal for administrative legal proceedings.

Uber’s Asia Pacific regional spokesperson Harold Li responded that the decision was discouraging, unacceptable, and disappointing.

He commented that the Ministry of Economic Affairs did not engage in any discussions with Uber and deprived Uber of an opportunity to explain their side of the situation, which is a violation of procedural justice. If this decision is a final resolution, Uber will immediately file for an administrative appeal on the case.

Looking on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, it is already extremely common for people to use an APP to summon vehicles in Mainland China. Furthermore, in Mainland China Uber has announced that they will engage in a partnership with the Bejing company Didi, which also allows customers to summon vehicles using an APP. This will be the first place where they have obtained the legal right to operate in the region.

[update]

The Investment Commission said that they did not have the final decision yet, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs is still reviewing this case.

(TR/ Phil Sweeney)