Uber files EC complaint against Hungary 
Uber has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Hungary claiming it was forced to cease operations in July after the introduction of new regulations in the country. Uber’s general manager for Central Europe has previously stated that the firm’s goal is to reintroduce its service to Budapest, where it began operations in 2014 and had built up a client base of around 160,000 when it closed. A spokesman for the Hungarian government said the country was ready for an EC investigation; it alleges that rather than being forced to leave, Uber did so of its own accord and that it only wants Uber to “respect the rules which apply to everyone in Hungary."

The US-based firm behind the taxi app Uber has filed a complaint with the European Commission against legislation adopted by Hungary that forced it to suspend operations in the country on 24 July.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Rob Khazzam, Uber’s regional director for Central Europe, said in explanation of the move that the company wants to return to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, where it began offering its service in 2014. By this summer, the monthly number of Uber rides had increased to 160 000 and 1200 drivers were part of the firm’s network, the company claimed.

Uber was forced to exit the Hungarian market after – giving in to demonstrating taxi drivers demanding the ban of the app – , the National Assembly voted to enable websites operating an “illegal taxi service” to be temporarily blocked for a period of up to 365 days. In a statement issued at the time Uber suspended its service, the Ministry for National Development said that it “takes note” of the company’s decision to leave Hungary rather than accept the terms of legal operation, competition with taxis and taxation.

via origo.hu

photo: Attila Polyák/origo.hu