On Friday, David Plouffe, chief strategic adviser of Uber Technologies Inc, announced intentions to create a new market and assist smart cities with developing better transportation systems, instead of generating competition.
While at a technology forum in Taipei, Plouffe went on to explain that a lot of Uber clients aren’t taxi users, and that the company gives opportunities for drivers to create an extra income for themselves, outside of their main careers.
See also: Uber self-driving fleet in Pittsburgh goes live
Plouffe said that ride-sharing is similar to hiring a vehicle with a driver, yet it differs in many ways too. The legal rules that regulate markets are necessary, and Uber stated it would like to assist governments with changing the regulations for ride-sharing and lowering the entry barrier to the ride-sharing market.
This response came after the Taiwanese government repeatedly fined Uber for violating regulations on running a transportation business and even contemplated taking away its investment permit. The government also looked into tax evasion accusations against Uber in Taiwan.
Uber Taiwan is currently registered as a software firm, but the government said it wanted to regulate Uber as a transportation company. Minister without Portfolio, Andrey Tang, who regulates digital policy, met with Plouffe on Friday to discuss differing views on transportation networks and regulations that govern ride-sharing services.
Call for governments to step up on ride-sharing
Known for his work on US President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, Plouffe said that government leaders should discuss their goals with the public and share how they plan to accomplish them, even though they might experience some negative push-back.
He went on to explain that the Taiwanese government must show courage and determination, if Taiwan has goals to build an Asian version of Silicon Valley, develop a ride-sharing economy or have third-party payments.
Plouffe explained that with government bureaucracy playing a large role, officials need to develop plans and coordinate goals alongside other leaders, in order to accomplish those goals together.
