Uber opens the door to taxis in Merida; ATY operation, only against one platform

MÉRIDA.- One day after the version circulated that the Yucatán Transportation Agency had launched a “hunt” against platform taxis, the mobility company Uber issued a statement in the early hours of this Wednesday, announcing that traditional taxis will also be able to join its digital platform .

This fact surprised many, since it was precisely the taxi drivers who, at the time, opposed the entry of Uber in Mérida, even going so far as to record violent acts at the start of the platform in Yucatecan lands.

“At Uber, we always seek to offer more. Users should know that with us they have the greatest number of options that fit their needs: price, time, space, comfort…” said Juan Pablo Eiroa , general director of Uber Mexico, according to the statement.

With this new opening, taxi drivers who wish to join the platform will be able to register in the Uber Driver application , meet the established requirements and start accepting trips. All transfers will have the same security features as the rest of Uber's services. Following the announcement, no taxi association has yet made any statement on the matter.

This initiative takes place in a context in which the Yucatan Transportation Agency (ATY) has reinforced the regulation of private transportation services in the state, as reported in a statement on Wednesday. After reports circulated on Tuesday about an alleged “hunt” against platform taxi drivers, the ATY clarified that the operation carried out was aimed at inspecting and verifying vehicles that provided service through the “inDrive” platform, which operates irregularly in the state, lacking proof of registration to manage, operate and offer passenger transportation through technological platforms.

The operation, carried out with the support of the Secretariat of Public Security , aimed to verify that the vehicles complied with the operating certificates required by law.

According to the ATY, all companies that offer transportation through applications must have a certificate issued by the transportation authority, which guarantees that operators comply with essential requirements, such as driver identification, vehicle characteristics, and passenger insurance.

Prior to this intervention, the ATY held meetings with the legal representation of “ inDrive ” to regularize its operation in Yucatan . It was agreed to remove the decals from the units and suspend the service within a period of three days; however, these commitments were not fulfilled . As a result, multiple infraction tickets were issued and some units were sent to official depots.

The Yucatan Transportation Agency reaffirmed its commitment to the regulation and safety of transportation services in the state, highlighting that platforms that operate without authorization represent a risk for passengers, as they do not have the necessary controls to guarantee safety and quality.

Reactions and attitude of platform taxi drivers

In private groups of platform drivers , a representative reported that this Wednesday he met with ATY personnel, who confirmed that the operation carried out on Tuesday had the sole objective of stopping vehicles from the “inDrive” platform, given that it operates irregularly. Both Uber and Didi are authorized to provide the service, as long as they comply with the provisions of the Transportation Agency Law.- Luis Zapata

Read: Government of Yucatan confirms sanctions against “InDrive” drivers in Merida