Two years ago we agreed with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to restart Uber in Taiwan under a new, fully legal business model, partnering with rental car companies. This model successfully increased earnings for 10,000 rental car drivers and their families, more than 200 small to midsize local rental car businesses and also fulfilled the transport needs of 3 million loyal customers.

On February 21, the MOTC proposed changes to the existing rental car regulations and started a consultation process to gather opinions and evaluate the impact of the changes. Sadly, driver partners, rental car companies, consumers and platforms like Uber were excluded from that process. However, despite not having a seat at the table, many worked hard to voice their opinions through demonstrations, petitions and in the media.

Today’s milestone marks the end of the MOTC’s 60-day consultation period for regulation 103-1. Despite our efforts to communicate a win-win solution we feel that a fair resolution is still some way off. We’ve been presented an idea of becoming a taxi dispatch operator and while our expertise can help make taxis safer, more efficient and profitable, ultimately we are a technology company and have no plans to become a taxi operator.

For the time being our service continues as normal, however more than ever before there is a great opportunity for Taiwan’s government to modernise existing e-hailing and taxi regulations through technology, bringing better service and increased taxi driver revenue. As we have proven elsewhere, Uber and Taxis can coexist.

While the MOTC’s consultation process is over it is not the end of the journey. We remain committed to finding a solution for our valued 10,000 driver partners, over 200 rental car companies, and 3 million loyal consumers. We call on the Government to listen and respond to their opinions and to include them in future discussions so, together, we can find a solution where Uber and taxis can co-exist to benefit consumers, and where innovation will be allowed to drive economic growth.