Uber drivers attacked in Mexico City in latest cabbie revolt

Crowds of protesters attacked Uber driver’s cars outside Mexico City’s airport, hitting the cars with stones and bats as well as throwing flour and eggs through open windows.

The violence culminated as licensed taxi drivers demanded a complete halt on the app-based ride service in the capital.

Uber released a statement condemning the attacks saying that they were “a very grave attack on everyone’s freedom and right to make a living in a dignified manner." It continued: “Incidents like this are completely unacceptable and we trust that authorities will act so that justice is done.”

Earlier this month Mexico introduced new regulations designed to create a legal framework for Uber and the smaller Cabify however the heated protests are a sign that the changes have not quelled the discontent among Mexico City taxi drivers.

The new regulations were the first of their kind on Latin America and called for the companies to pay 1.5 per cent of fares to a fund for improving transportation; require drivers to register and submit to annual inspections; and bar them from accepting cash or establishing the equivalent of taxi stands.

Licensed taxi workers accused Uber drivers of breaking the rule prohibiting them against establishing taxi stand equivalents by parking outside the airport.

An Uber spokesperson told the Guardian that the company’s drivers were not permitted to wait on airport grounds so they stayed in the surrounding streets until customers who summoned rides were in a place where they could be picked up.

Public support for the service remains strong however, a recent poll found that 80 per cent of Mexico City residents gave Uber positive ratings, compared with 52 per cent for medallion cabs and only 12 per cent said they backed a ban on Uber.