Uber, not UberPOP, wins support of VVD Minister

According to Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs, VVD), innovative companies such as internet taxi service Uber should not be ignored. He said this on the current affairs program Buitenhof yesterday, NOS reports.

The minister applauded new innovative forms of service such as Uber and the online hotel service Airbnb. "Consumers benefit from a wider choice and higher quality. As a service you should ensure that you deliver products that customers want, at a good price." Kamp said. He did make a clear distinction between Uber, which works without the intervention of a taxi company, and the banned UberPOP, where ordinary citizens offer taxi services.

Kamp thinks that the taxi drivers that are angry about competition from Uber should improve the quality of their own service. "Let them just make sure that they provide services that are valued by the people." he said. He believes that the new developments in the industry offer these drivers opportunities.

According to the minister, laws and rules should take more account with the new possibilities offered by the internet. He thinks that instead of the current conservative regulations that protect the existing situation, more space and freedom needs to be created.