Taxi rules eased but Uberpop still illegal: Infrastructure Sec

State Secretary Wilma Mansveld of Infrastructure plans to relax the rules for taxis in general. But UberPop remains illegal as the service does not meet the requirements, according to Mansveld. Mansveld wants to remove unnecessary regulations and encourage innovation in the taxi industry, to make it easier for new providers to enter the market, NOS reports. In Mansveld's plans, a taxi driver no longer has to carry a paper taxi licence and rate card with him as there are digital alternatives available. It is no longer required to have a taximeter in the car if arrangement are made on the fare in advance. She is also removing the test of competence as part of the operator's licence. She feels that it may be expected of an operator that he knows the rules and has a minimal set of skills. Mansveld also wants to experiment to improve the combination of public transport, bicycle and taxi. She is considering putting taxis in sparsely populated regions where there are no buses. She is also evaluating the taxi tariffs at present. Mansveld stressed that Uberpop will remain illegal, even after the adjustments of the rules. According to the State Secretary, an exception for UberPop will lead to unfair competition and "disruption of the level plying field", NOS reports. The fact that UberPop drivers now also drive with a chauffeur's license is a step in the right direction, but not enough.