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Taxis in Budapest block traffic, demand ban on Uber

Taxis in Budapest block traffic, demand ban on Uber

By Sureis

Taxi cab drivers gather by their vehicles at Erzsebet Square during an unannounced demonstration against the use of Uber rideshare application in the early morning hours in downtown Budapest, Hungary, on Monday, January 18, 2016. Photo: AP

BUDAPEST: Over 100 taxis are blocking traffic in downtown Budapest, demanding a ban on Uber and other ride-hailing apps. The yellow vehicles from several taxi companies are blocking most lanes of a key intersection in the Hungarian capital near St. Stephen's Basilica, causing traffic delays. Taxi drivers said they would go later Monday to the office of Budapest's mayor to present a petition with their demands. Protest organisers said they want to show Mayor Istvan Tarlos 'that the current condition is unsustainable' and called for fines against Uber drivers and the immediate shutdown of the service. Uber says it has 1,200 drivers and 80,000 users in Budapest.