These decisions were motivated by higher rates of vandalism (4 times as high as elsewhere) in the communes of Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Koekelberg and in the area of Laeken. It appears that locks were broken. Also, bikes would disappear but were recovered with the police’s help. The maintenance staff was assaulted as well.

The American company has reached out to the communes’ authorities and to Brussels Mobility to find a solution.

The region’s Villo! also faces numerous thefts yearly (300/year), of which 80% are retrieved, but they have never closed down stations for that reason.

The scooter company, Felyx, had to take back their vehicles near the Atomium and in Laeken. Their spokesperson mentioned safety as the reason behind the action.

The post No more Jump bikes and Felyx scooters in certain Brussels areas appeared first on Brussels Express.

On Thursday morning at 6 a.m., around 40 taxi drivers demonstrated in front of STIB’s depot in Haren to denounce STIB’s perceived promotion of Uber during the presentation of its 2018 annual report. The Brussels-Capital police have also issued a statement claiming that the demonstration ended at around 8.15 a.m., with no further incidents to report.

“STIB never promoted anyone. The relevant slide [shown during the presentation] simply shows all possible modes of transport available in Brussels, without commenting on the nature of their services or their legitimacy,” STIB said on social media.

STIB’s vice-president, Lofti Mostefa, offered his own remarks: “I have been asked by several people about the possibility of a partnership between STIB and Uber. I do not in any way support this initiative, which is contrary to the societal project that I am working toward. For me, the only possible partners for STIB are Brussels taxis,” he said.

The post STIB denies promoting Uber appeared first on Brussels Express.

Shared electric bikes, each of them labelled “Jump”, were unloaded this Thursday morning at strategic points in the Belgian capital, including in front of several news agencies. They belong to the American company Uber.

For the moment no more information is forthcoming on the bikes; nor is there currently any information as to how to even go about using them. A press conference is scheduled for 2pm this Thursday afternoon, at which further information is expected to be disclosed.

On his Twitter account, Pascal Smet, the Brussels Minister for Mobility, shared the above photo, writing “soon more info”.

The post Jump: Uber’s shared electric bike lands in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

Already in place in the United States and other major European cities, the app makes it possible for Uber users to consult anonymized mobility data collected by the company’s drivers. In particular, the app allows users to discover the average driving distances and travel time between different neighbourhoods.

In addition, the app has the potential to help policymakers determine what infrastructure might be needed to reduce congestion and improve overall mobility in the Belgian capital.

For those who are interested, go to the Uber Movement website to browse the anonymised data collected by Uber drivers for the Brussels region.

Uber is also scheduled to make a big announcement about its plans for Brussels on April 25th. Many suspect that the announcement might concern the arrival of the company’s electric scooters in the Belgian capital, after the successful launching of a similar scheme in Madrid and Paris.

The post Uber’s “Movement” application arrives in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

The powerful electric bikes are built with a bright front electric light, strong brakes, and other safety features.

They have yet to announce a launch date but the bicycles are expected to appear sometime this summer.

The post Uber to enter the electric bicycle rental business in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

Only drivers with a valid taxi license can offer the transport service, according to a judgment in late December.

The judge clarified at the end of December a decision taken in September 2015 that led to the ban of one of the two services of the American giant, namely Uberpop.

The judgment on December 18th considered illegal the rides entrusted to « drivers who do not have the authorization provided for in Article 3 of the decree of April 27th, 1995, regardless of the designation given to the service by Uber.

UberX is also affected by this judgment. However, another trial is still ongoing on the French-speaking side.

Uber risks being fined 10,000 euros per infringement, with a maximum of one million euros.

It seems apparent from the judgment — which news agency Belga was given — that there is still uncertainty as to whether Uber X is a taxi or limousine service, the latter being the subject of another type of license.

The post Uber deemed illegal in the capital region by the Commercial Court of Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

According to Fernando Redondo, president of the Association belge des chauffeurs limousine, the mobilization has been cancelled. However, he declared that they deplore this decision and are planning to schedule a new rally on November 14.

Mr. Redondo further commented on the importance of this issue as Uber drivers have previously been targeted by several parties, verbally and physically.

The Belgian Federation of Taxis has, in the past, undertaken legal action against Uber drivers. Mr. Redondo stated that the future of 1000 Uber drivers is at stake, as well as that of their families.

The post Brussels’ Mayor rejects Uber drivers’ request to march in protest appeared first on Brussels Express.

Upon arrival at the destination, passengers will be able to tip as if in a taxi; being able to choose between several standard amounts of one, two or five euros, or by stipulating their own amount.

These tips can be made via the application and can be given as long as five days after the journey. Tipping will not incur additional charges for the passenger, and the driver receives the full gratuity. This feature will also be available for Uber Eats.

Uber has undertaken a reshuffle of its affairs since last November in an effort to simplify and improve the experience for Belgian drivers and passenger; these new measures were introduced after demands from its drivers, and the company has ensured consumers that these tips go solely to the drivers, with no commission taken by the company.

This move follows a string of recently added features such as charging users for keeping the Uber idle after an initial two-minute cancellation period and warnings for when the journey is estimated at 45 minutes or more. And even a chat feature within the application, to coordinate between driver and passenger.

The company states there are additional changes anticipated to the system within the coming months.

The post Tipping UBER drivers is now possible in Belgium appeared first on Brussels Express.

FeBet filed a strike notice following a public declaration by Pascal Smet, Brussels Minister for Mobility and Public Works. The association accuses him of being tolerant towards company Uber, who drivers carry passengers with permits for limousines. In the absence of a Taxi plan, FeBet is calling for amendments to the paid passenger transportation in order to clarify the conditions under which limousine permits can be used. FeBet also calls for more effective control for Uber drivers.

The post Brussels taxi drivers strike on December 12 appeared first on Brussels Express.