Uber drivers face tougher punishment from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications after new standards to penalize illegal taxi drivers took effect yesterday.
Statistics from the Directorate-General of Highways showed that Uber Taiwan had 276 recorded violations, with the fines topping NT$37.7 million (US$1.16 million).
The highway authority has also been cracking down on drivers recruited by Uber Taiwan, filing 277 violations. The penalties imposed on these drivers totaled NT$12.05 million.
Even though the fines total almost NT$50 million, the ride-sharing firm remains undeterred and continues to recruit drivers.
The ministry said the Uber drivers were fined NT$50,000 each time they were caught and faced a two-month license suspension. The penalty for drivers who are caught twice was also NT$50,000, but their licenses were suspended for three months as well.
The new standards maintain the fines for first-time offenders, but they face a NT$100,000 fine and a six-month license suspension for a second offense.
Drivers who repeat the offense more than six months after their first violation face a fine of NT$60,000 and a license suspension of three months.
The ministry said third and fourth-time offenders would see their penalties rise to NT$70,000 and NT$80,000 and have their licenses suspended for four months and five months respectively.
Drivers found to have violated the regulations five times or more are to be fined NT$100,000 for each violation and face a suspension of their license for six months.
In response, Uber Taiwan said that drivers are an integral part of its business and that it would do everything it could to support drivers who are affected by the policy.
The company also said that it would continue seeking negotiations with the Executive Yuan.
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