Uber Attacks the Paris City Hall

Uber has filed a complaint with the administrative court to challenge the 2023 decree prohibiting VTCs from the streets of Rivoli and Saint-Antoine.

Uber initially tried a gentle approach by submitting an amicable request to the Mayor’s Office of Paris to open the Rivoli and Saint-Antoine routes to VTCs. When this was rejected, they proceeded to the next step by filing a complaint with the administrative court to annul the July 31, 2023, decree that excludes VTCs from this area, which is rich in shops, hotels, and thus foreign clients eager for the platform. “While taxis, residents, and many artisans and traders can access it, VTCs have been systematically excluded from the list of eligible users who can access these two routes, which are still necessary for their professional activity,” argues the company in a statement.

Uber has chosen to act as a spokesperson for a profession that Paris has warmly welcomed in order to break the taxi monopoly. Taxis, accused of all wrongs, have seen streams of polite, suited private drivers, always offering a bottle of water or a candy after opening the door for the passenger and mostly displaying significantly lower fares. But that was before. VTC platforms have been caught up regarding driver compensation, and fares have aligned with those of taxis. Old habits have been lost, and today, in terms of passenger reception, VTCs have nothing to envy taxis, which maintain a genuine knowledge of Paris and its traffic. An advantage that very young VTC drivers, who grow up with Waze, cannot boast. In short, a tie.

As Paris is not afraid to burn what it once idolized, the hunt for VTCs is open, and what better way to limit their mobility to favor taxis?

This Rivoli, Saint-Antoine route is only the tip of the iceberg, as the stakes are much higher. The City of Paris will set up “Olympic lanes” reserved for organizing vehicles, RATP buses, and taxis… but not VTCs! After the Olympics, these lanes will be maintained, especially on the Paris ring road and access highways to the capital, notably the A1 and A13 during peak hours. This would be a real blow to VTCs.