Uber drivers protest service fines heavier than DUI / 不滿Uber遭重罰 駕駛昨免費載客一日　　　　　　　　　　

In other news, the Uber controversy in Taiwan took a new turn after new amendments to the country's Highway Act now subject UBER drivers to a 100 thousand NT dollar fine for illegalling transporting passengers. The move prompted many angry drivers to launch a free-ride event yesterday in an act of protest and defiance. In response, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation says that the drivers won't have to worry about being fined, if they are properly licensed and Uber agrees to register itself as a transport service company. Uber drivers launched a free-ride day event "I ride Uber, I support Uber." The Taiwan government started enforcing a new amendment of the Highway Act on January 4. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is penalizing illegal passenger transportation the minimum fine has been raised to NT$100,000. However the maximum fine for drunk driving is NT$90,000. ==MEMBER OF PUBLIC== Drunk driving endangers many innocent people with risks, I think the government should raise up fines amount for drunk driving, but not to fine Uber drivers for NT$100,000 or so. To ordinary citizens like us, they are really pathetic. ==MEMBER OF PUBLIC == It's a bit strange. Although Uber does not have legal permit for passenger transportation, but I think the government should impose a more serious penalty for drunk driving. Over 800 Uber drivers signed to participate in the event and each driver randomly chose four hours for free-rides. Facing with constant confrontations between the government, Uber company and drivers, a scholar suggests that emerging economies are a trend, the Ministry should look into relevant regulations. ==LI KE-TSONG Asst Prof. TTM Dept. Feng Chia University == The government should be aggressively finding a solution for Uber to sit down and negotiate for regulation, tax and insurance coverage. The public sector should initiate proposing solutions instead of passive confrontation. Uber stated, the free-ride day is a voluntary event initiated by Uber drivers, they hope their voices can be heard. Uber said it will continue its operation in Taiwan and will not interfere with drivers' voices.The MOTC replied, although free-ride day event does not violate laws, but the Ministry encourages Uber drivers to obtain occupational driving licenses and urge the company to register for a legal permit to avoid penalties. TRANSLATED BY：ANTHONY LIN Uber司機發起''我搭Uber，我挺Ube ，Uber一日免費載活動。被稱為Uber條款的公路法修正案，上周五正式上路。 Uber司機抗議，交通部將違法載客的罰金，提高到最低10萬元，酒駕最高罰金才9萬。 ==民眾== (酒駕)它讓一些無辜的人 就暴露在一個危險當中 那我覺得 這其實應該更高才對 而不是說Uber你就罰他個十萬 那我覺得這對一些 基本小民來說 他們真的是很可憐 ==民眾== 是有點奇怪 雖然他們(Uber)本來就是 沒有合法的可以載客的執照 可是酒駕感覺應該更嚴重一點 目前已經超過8百名駕駛響應，會隨機選4小時免費載客。而面對Uber公司、駕駛與交通部，三方長期對峙，學者認為，新興經濟的確是潮流，建議交通部應該檢討法規。 ==逢甲運輸系副教授 李克聰== 公部門應該更可以 更主動積極找出一個 讓Uber可以坐上 這個談判桌去談 納管納稅納保的一個方案 由公部門主動提出來 而不是雙方都是被動消極的 去做一些對峙的情況 Uber也發聲明表示，一日免費搭乘是合作駕駛自行發起的活動，希望他們的聲音能夠被各界聽見並支持。也強調會持續經營台灣市場，不會干涉駕駛發聲。交通部則是回應，雖然免費搭乘不違法，還是希望駕駛能考取職業駕照，Uber合法申請，這樣就不會有重罰問題。 記者 李志華 陳昌維 台北報導