Taxi Drivers Protest Against Lyft And Uber; Government Is Said To Ignore The Side Of The Protesters Who Call For Equality

On Wednesday, traffic in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, was blocked for more than an hour by a huge demo of drivers who expressed their protest against Lyft and Uber X. Limo drivers, cab drivers as well as Uber Black drivers blocked traffic to air their message of wanting to shut down Lyft and Uber X, which, according to them, are illegally operating in the city.

The drivers who staged their protest against Lyft and Uber are with the Philadelphia Limo Association and Taxi Workers Alliance, lined in the Center city streets with dozens of them marched straight to the office of the District Attorney.

Speaking to WPVI, Jamal Brown, a taxi driver said "We can't advertise in our taxi to make a couple extra dollars. We can't do a lot of things in our taxis to increase our earnings because of the Parking Authority's regulation. Meanwhile, they're not regulating Uber and Uber X and Lyft."

A member of Philadelphia Limo Association, Ali Razak stated: "There's 12,000 illegal drivers. There's numerous crimes happening every day. Everybody's aware of that, but everybody wants to point their finger and say 'oh I don't know anything about it.' Somebody needs to take responsibility."

Uber Black limo and taxi drivers said in their protest against Lyft and Uber, if they are in compliance with city regulations, everyone should follow the rules as well. They lamented they feel the city overlooked and ignored them and wanted the Philadelphia Parking Authority do more. Taxi Workers Alliance of Philadelphia President Ronald Blount told the ABC-owned station the parking authority has done its best but lacks manpower, having only eight enforcement inspectors against thousands of illegal Uber X.

An Uber spokesperson released on Wednesday the following statement:

"Many taxi and limousine drivers are understandably frustrated because the Philadelphia Parking Authority's outdated rules make it harder to earn a living when the public has shown they want more affordable options. Each year, the PPA requires limousine drivers to pay $404 per vehicle for a PPA sticker and $130 for their chauffeur's permit to be renewed. They also subject drivers to obsolete vehicle restrictions and onerous insurance requirements. We believe statewide reform of the PPA that allows for regulated ride sharing will benefit both riders and drivers."

Another Uber-related protest is in London, where drivers staged protest against the Transport for London and Uber over the regulations imposed on the taxi industry, CityA.M. reported.