Hundreds of GrabTaxi and Uber drivers descended upon the two companies’ offices on January 15 to protest increases to the share going to the companies for every trip.

At GrabTaxi’s office in Hanoi’s Cau Giay district, drivers said the increase to 28.3 per cent last August is too high and that it should return to the previous 15 per cent.

They added that the share structure is unreasonable as many drivers had taken out bank loans to buy a motor car.

The drivers also said that Hanoi restricts taxi technology on certain streets, making life difficult for them. Such moves do not resolve traffic jams, the added, because it only encourages people use their own vehicles. 

A representative from GrabTaxi said that drivers have come to its office to ask about new regulations and that, as yet, there is no official reply from the company.

“According to the regulations between the two parties, all questions from the parties are heard and a solution identified in the shortest possible time,” the representative said.

Hundreds of Uber drivers, meanwhile, gathered at its office to protest the existing share structure, under which 29 per cent of the fare goes to the company.

In addition to a 25 per cent discount offered to passengers, drivers also pay 4.5 per cent in personal income tax through Uber. The drivers also called for Uber’s share to return to 15 per cent.

The Ministry of Transport has proposed a range of conditions be introduced to balance the management of traditional taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab, after the latter’s two-year pilot saw arguments and occasional violence between drivers from the competing sides.

A draft decree replacing existing Decree No. 86 from 2014 on the conditions for the motor vehicle transport business highlights additional requirements for operations in the transport businesses via digital contracts and software, namely Uber, Grab, and any similar services.

VN Economic Times