Portugal..Lisbon

A taxi driver who refused to stop working during a 3,000-strong strike against Uber was viciously attacked by those protesting on the streets of Lisbon.

Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide.

One shows a bigger man, believed to be a taxi driver, with one hand on his collar and the other trying to get a lock on his head, with his knee heading towards the stomach of the working driver.

Shocking pictures show the slender man being attacked by numerous other colleagues, who were striking because of the US-based taxi app Uber, which many feel flout rules that they must abide

A gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies during the protest

Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide

'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens at protests in southern cities. This one in Lisbon simply shows the logo with a cross through it

Another shows a gang of six protesters surrounding the working man, with a different driver pulling him by his shirt as the situation intensifies.

In another, the same man pulling his shirt stands just a couple of feet away and is throwing a kick at him while the other holds his hands up in defence.

Taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of other working drivers during the slow-drive.

Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber.

Recent months have seen a flurry of protests amid claims Uber provides unfair competition by flouting rules and restrictions regulating professional vehicles.

Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide.

The ruling was filed against Uber's US-based, rather than Europe-based, department.

Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700.

Parallel protests in the northern city of Porto and Faro in the south drew the support of 800 and 150, Lusa news agency reported.

Other taxi drivers also launched eggs at the vehicles of colleagues who continued to work during the strike

Union Antral said some 3,000 taxis joined Tuesday's go-slow demonstration in the capital but police put the figure at 700

A policeman watches as taxi cabs block a street during a protest action in Lisbon. This one is heavily decorated with anti-Uber slogans

A man holds a placard reading 'Europe incoming; Portugal without government! UBER go out' on the streets

'No to illegal transport' and 'For fair competition' were among slogans some drivers pasted onto their windscreens.

'Thanks to Uber, we are losing customers - especially on airport runs. The authorities see what is going on - but do nothing,' complained Carlos Ferreira, a 66-year-old Lisbon cabbie.

Antral slammed Uber for 'illegally' continuing to operate despite the court ruling.

Uber's head of services in Portugal, Rui Bento, said the firm had appealed the ruling and was awaiting a final decision.

The latest protests follow similarly vociferous complaints elsewhere in Europe, the United States and India.

Uber resumed its Indian operations in January after last year being banned following a rape allegation against one of its drivers.

June saw angry scenes in Paris, resulting in rioting by taxi drivers and the arrest of two Uber executives.

Three thousands cab drivers brought traffic to a crawl Tuesday in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities as they held the latest in a string of protests worldwide against Uber

Tourists were forced to walk down the middle of the traffic during an absolute standstill in the city

The company responded by suspending its lower cost UberPOP service in a country which has restricted its activities.

Unions representing taxis in Brussels have called a strike for September 16, with drivers from other European capitals also expected to participate.

Visitors to Lisbon were divided between sympathy and frustration.

'We understand the drivers. I prefer to pay a few euros more and reach my destination safely,' said German Michael Zerwas, 50.

But Briton Sarah Chapman, 52, was angry.

'My father is in a coma in hospital in Lisbon. I wanted to pay him a last visit before heading back to the United Kingdom. But thanks to the taxi strike I shan't be able to see him.'

Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified.

'Uber are practising unfair competition with taxis and don't respect the law,' said Almeida.

Uber launched in Lisbon a year ago but Antral - one of Portugal's main drivers' associations - earlier this year obtained a civil court ruling preventing the firm from operating nationwide

Many complained about the disruption but Antral chairman Florencio Almeida insisted the action was justified

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ST ALBANS
 
 Taxi marshall scheme needs more support

City centre bars and clubs are being asked to give financial backing to a taxi marshal scheme that aims to make St Albans safer.

St Albans District Council has been helping to run the project designed to ensure people return home safely after a night out.

The marshals patrol taxi queues in St Peter’s Street and Batchwood Hall to stop them becoming flashpoints for alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

CCTV operators have recorded the Marshalls stepping in to stop potential trouble on numerous occasions.

Late-night licensed premises have been invited to contribute to the running costs, but not all have chipped in.

Now the District Council is inviting all other late-night licensed businesses in the area to follow their example and share the cost.

The Taxi Marshall system was first introduced in St Albans City centre in 2005 and at Batchwood Hall in 2009.

Taxi Marshalls have no formal powers, but are provided with two-way radios linked to the police and the CCTV control room. They wear high-visibility jackets and are licensed and regulated by the Security Industry Authority.

The marshals have been trained in many aspects of crowd control such as defusing aggression.

Among the aims of the scheme are to reduce alcohol related crimes, increase people’s sense of safety, promote the night-time economy and protect taxi drivers.

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/13650704.Taxi_marshall_scheme_needs_more_support/?ref=rss