On Thursday 3rd September, Uber launched its new more luxurious taxi service ― uberX — to a Press Club Brussels packed with journalists despite the early hour. The new service is a little more expensive than Uber’s standard tariffs but offers a more professional service, the company’s general manager Filip Nuytemans. UberX’ professional partner drivers need to meet further legal requirements including licensing as private hire vehicle operators, commercial insurance and VAT registration. Nuytemans said the location of the press conference — at the Brussels press club — was only announced at the last minute to ensure the security of participants. Protests by other taxi drivers against competitor Uber drivers have seen the latter pulled from their cars. Nuytemans also said that the company had charged several EU member states with breaking the EU treaty by not protecting its drivers and Uber’s right to trade. Dafydd ab Iago
secretary@pressclub.be