Uber is allegedly still offering illegal scooter rides in Taipei’s Beitou District despite receiving official fines. The Taiwan People’s Party caucus raised this concern today, urging transportation officials to intervene directly. Consequently, lawmakers accused the ministry of shirking responsibility while the violation continues unaddressed.
Indeed, Uber launched a one-month promotional campaign in Beitou on July 1 this year. The campaign offered free short-distance scooter rides within a limited timeframe and geographic area. However, the Taipei Department of Transportation issued fines last week following numerous public complaints. Rides Formosa Co received a NT$500,000 penalty for its first violation under the Highway Act. Additionally, the Uber platform itself faced a separate NT$100,000 fine for the same contravention.
Furthermore, individual drivers involved received NT$100,000 fines alongside suspended vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses. Officials explained that current law prohibits scooters from providing commercial passenger transport services entirely. Therefore, they warned operators against disguising such services as free promotional campaigns to bypass regulations. The department also cautioned drivers against risking heavy penalties for short-term financial bonuses.
Despite these penalties, TPP Legislator Chen Gao-tzu displayed screenshots showing the option remained active yesterday. She demonstrated that requesting a ride from MRT Xinbeitou Station still showed the scooter option. Since Beitou attracts numerous international tourists, lawmakers raised concerns about potential accident liability. When asked about tourist safety, the ministry simply stated it supports local government enforcement efforts.
Meanwhile, TPP caucus whip Chen Ching-lung criticized the central government’s approach toward this ongoing violation. He argued that authorities spend substantial budgets attracting tourists while allowing illegal scooter rides unchecked. Therefore, he questioned whether the central government could only pass responsibility elsewhere consistently.
Ultimately, this controversy highlights growing tension between platform enforcement and central government oversight in Taiwan. Going forward, officials will likely face continued pressure to address this unresolved regulatory gap.
