QCOSTARICA – Official taxis – the red taxis with the special licence plate, for example TSJ -XXX for San Jose, cannot work with Uber.
That is the word from Rocio Paniagua, Uber spokeswoman for Central America, following an article in the Diario Extra, “Taxistas autorizados para ser Uber” (Taxi drivers authorized to be a Uber).
The report in the self billed the most sold newspaper in Costa Ric, indicates that taxi drivers authorized by the Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP) – Public Transport Council – can use the Uber app.
According to Susana Lopez, assistant director of legal affairs of the CTP, ‘official’ taxi drivers can use the Uber app only to pick up fares, but, must charge the Aresep (regulating agency) taxi rates.
Lopez added that the “semi-official” taxis licensed under the Servicio Especial Estable de Taxi (Seetaxi) can also use the Uber app.
Paniagua, however, has a different opinion.
“Anyone, including taxi drivers, who meet the requirements detailed in socioscr.com can join the Uber community. However, there are very strict requirements regarding vehicles. All should be private cars and may not have taxi plates,” said Paniagua.