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bne Tech
June 28, 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 22
Romania regulates app-based passenger transport businesses
The Romanian government passed an emergency decree (OUG) regulating ridesharing services
at its June 25 meeting. The law stipulates requirements similar to those imposed on traditional taxi operators, but representatives
of Uber and Clever have already said it is “good news” for drivers and customers.
“Now the competition is free. The Romanians will decide the company whose services they want
to use in Bucharest and elsewhere. There is no discrimination whatsoever,” Transport Minister Razvan Cuc said.
The emergency decree comes after several years of conflict between taxi operators and ridesharing apps, which culminated in protests by taxi drivers that compelled the authorities to enforce stricter regulations against those enrolled in the Uber, Bolt, and Clever apps. App-based ridesharing services
such as Uber and Bolt were outlawed in Romania once the amendments to Law 38/2003 that regulates taxi operators came in effect on May 16.
The final draft of the decree passed by the government stipulates that Uber, Bolt, Clever and other service operators must obtain technical approval from the communications ministry every year, according to Hotnews.ro.
The annual fee they will pay is RON50,000 (€10,600).
The cars used for ridesharing also have to meet several conditions, similar to those used for taxi operations. The drivers must be at least 21 years old and hold a training certificate for passenger transport issued by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR). They also need a category B driving license that is at least two years old.