Uber announced at a press conference on Friday that it is moving ahead with plans to bring its ride-hailing app to Brussels. However, the company was forced to keep the location of that press conference a secret until just before it started to avoid ever-increasing protests from traditional taxi drivers, who have announced plans for a strike against the company on September 16. Uber says existing Belgian legislation will allow UberX to operate, but it will not be allowed to use taxi lanes. The move comes after Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said he would ban Uber’s services in his city if they were operating illegally.
Uber announced at a press conference on Friday that it is moving ahead with plans to bring its ride-hailing app to Brussels. However, the company was forced to keep the location of that press conference a secret until just before it started to avoid ever-increasing protests from traditional taxi drivers, who have announced plans for a strike against the company on September 16. Uber says existing Belgian legislation will allow UberX to operate, but it will not be allowed to use taxi lanes. The Brussels Ministry for Transport has not yet commented on Uber's announcement.