BRUSSELS, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Chauffeur-hailing app Uber on Thursday started its licensed service UberX in Brussels, though it added it did not plan on suspending its controversial unlicensed service as it had done in Paris. The new service will start with 20 drivers who have a commercial chauffeur licence and will be more expensive than UberPOP, which allows users to ride with private drivers. As in many other countries, Uber’s entry into the Belgian market was greeted with protests from taxi companies which see the app as unfair competition. Taxi drivers plan another demonstration in the Belgian capital on Sept. 16. The company has also faced court injunctions and cars have been seized by authorities. In July, Uber suspended UberPOP in Paris after facing violent protests. “It’s our ambition to continue with UberPOP,” Filip Nuytemans, head of Uber Belgium, told a news conference. 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 had no immediate comment regarding Uber’s announcement. The news conference to announce the new service was held in a venue in Brussels’ European district but the location was only communicated 45 minutes before the start to avoid protests outside. “When there is a minority of taxi drivers that delivers ultimatums to the state, that attacks Uber drivers and pulls passengers from the cars, clearly there is an issue of security,” Mark MacGann, Uber’s head of public policy in Europe, said. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Susan Thomas)
The Brussels Ministry for Transport 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. The Brussels Ministry for Transport says existing Belgian legislation will allow The Brussels Ministry for TransportX to operate, but it will not be allowed to use taxi lanes. Uber has not yet commented on The Brussels Ministry for Transport's announcement.