Uber say ‘Adiós’ to Columbian ride-hailing market

Colombia has said “Adiós” to ride-hailing firm Uber after a judge ruled the company violated competition rules.

The ban which was handed down in December 2019, was described as “arbitrary” by the private hire firm. Uber confirmed they were to quit on 1 February after failing to come to an agreement with Colombian officials about how it should be regulated going forwards.

Yesterday passengers opening up the app to use the Uber service were shown a message simply saying “Adiós Colombia”.

A translated statement from a Columbia Uber spokesperson reads: 'In compliance with the surprise ruling produced by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) on 20 December, starting at 0:00 on 1 February 2020, Uber will cease operations in Colombia.

'The company considers that the decision is arbitrary because it goes against the Colombian legal system, violating due process and constitutional rights. For this reason, he immediately appealed this ruling and is using all legal remedies to defend the right of 2million users to choose how they move through the cities and the opportunity of 88,000 driver partners registered in the application to generate additional livelihood gains. of their families.

'Uber respects the law and the decisions issued by the authorities. However, decisions like this, also respond to the absence of a regulation of the collaborative mobility service through technological platforms in Colombia.

'Uber was the first company to offer the country an innovative and reliable mobility alternative. Today, six years later, Colombia is the first country in the continent to close the doors to technology.'