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Published Thursday, March 25, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Commission to Promote Business Competition, known as Coprocom, disapproves of the intentions of the Public Transport Council, CTP, to block access to ride hailing apps such as Uber, Didi or InDriver.
The Commission is an organization under the Ministry of Economy, focused on promoting free business competition.
"Knowing the request made by the CTP, which requires blocking technological platforms, is unfortunate and inappropriate," Guillermo Rojas, president of the Commission said. "The transportation services is a collective need and it determines growth and development of a country's economy."
Technology has a leading role in economic development. Aside from focusing on development of new business models, governments must create reasonable solutions allowing development of economic activity, the Commission said.
The Commission's reaction comes after the Board of Directors of the Public Transportation Council, CTP, asks the Attorney General's Office to file a lawsuit against companies of ride hailing apps such as Uber, Didi or InDriver.
According to the CTP Board, the complaint is meant to be the beginning of the definitive closure of those applications in the country.
In addition to that request, the Board also requested that the Superintendency of Telecommunications block access to the apps developed by the U.S. company Uber, the Russian company based in the U.S. In Drive and the app Didi of the China company Chuxing Technology Co.
According to Manuel Vega, the director of the CTP, there is high concern about the risk that people run when traveling in non-authorized transport services. A frequent concern is over drivers that may not have the insurance to cover accidents or the bi-yearly technical inspection. The government sanctioned transport services of red taxis must comply with the latter requirements compared to drivers for ride hailing apps.
Vega is also concerned about the damage that has been caused to 11,400 people who have obtained the right to exploit public transport services of red taxis.
Since the year 2000 to today, according to CTP statistics, the owners of red taxi use permits have canceled more than 1,000 agreements with the government due to the low income generated by red taxis.
It is expected that in the coming weeks, the CTP announces if their request was accepted or rejected by authorities.
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How could red taxis and ride hailing apps work congruously? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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