4/16 (Tue.) Uber Out Again? (Host: Bernie)

[Bernie Chiu]

Hey guys, long time no see. It's your host for 4/16, Bernie, and we are going to talk about Uber.

As you might know, the MOTC(交通部) recently proposed an amendment (《汽車運輸業管理規則》103條之一的預告修正草案) that would require rental car companies that work with Uber to provide transportation services to adopt hourly or day-based fare rates. Although the MOTC alleged their main purpose is to make clear differentiation between car rental business and taxi services, this amendment could destroy Uber's whole operation.

Here's some materials
Uber considers leaving Taiwan again
Uber expresses disappointment with MOTC's new proposal
in depth explanation of this amendment (Chinese)
What is Diversified taxi? (Chinese)

Session 1

1. What's your take on this news? Talk about your experience of Uber and guess what will happen.
2. before this incident, what do you think Uber's business model is? Do you know the difference
between taxi and "Diversified taxi"?
3. Do you think this amendment is to protect taxi drivers? Why?

Session 2

Uber is a global company, Taiwan is not the first country that upsets Uber. In fact, Uber has been dealing with tons of lawsuits and prohibitions every year! In this session, we are going to talk about how governments in other countries deal with Uber and how our government can solve this problem.

Uber is facing a staggering number of lawsuits
Uber in Europe
Uber lawsuits timeline
Review of Taiwan's current system (Chinese)
Suggestion on legalize Uber (Chinese)


1. What's the reasons that Uber faced so many problems throughout all these years? Is it because
Uber is a terrible company?
2. Along with Airbnb, CouchSurfing ...etc, Uber is based on the idea of sharing. Consider countless
challenges Uber encountered, do you think this kind of business model (sharing
economy) will still works in the future?
3. Back to Uber Taiwan, can you come up with an resolution of this dispute recently?

*******************************************************************************************************************************************
Agenda:
6:50~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:20pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:20 ~ 8:00pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
8:20 ~ 8:30pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:30 ~ 9:10pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
9:10 ~ 9:30pm Summarization / Concluding Remarks / Announcements (20 mins) ********************************************************************************************************************************************
聚會日期：列於該貼文主題內
聚會時間：請準時 7:00 pm 到 ~ 約 9:30 pm 左右結束
星期二聚會地點：丹堤濟南店
地址、電話：台北市濟南路三段25號 地圖 (02) 2740-2350
捷運站：板南線 忠孝新生站 3 號出口
走法：出忠孝新生站 3 號出口後，沿著巷子(忠孝東路三段10巷)走約 2 分鐘，到了濟南路口，左轉走約 2 分鐘即可看到。
最低消費： 80 元

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給新朋友的話：
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[Iris Wu]

It is a “new” business model. “New” is in comparison with the slow-paced and somehow outdated legal system.

Technology and innovation are relatively proactive (to human needs), on the contrary, regulatory system is somehow passive, reacting to issues and problems when they arrive. But some legislative bodies can make better judgment calls and adopt quicker.

Our meeting host has done his due diligence, providing a thorough and well-thought selection of reading list. Uber is a controversial business entity. Honestly, the laundry list of their lawsuits got me to sympathize them a little bit.

In democratic world, when a “new business empire” emerges, it is likely to face a lot of scrutiny. Some of them may “over-protect” the so-called “victims”. I am wondering how sharing economy works out in China? Did their version of Uber, DiDi Chuxing, partner with taxi companies in some fashion?

[David Jr.]

For those who like to know more, the following Chinese article may help.
Uber 上市申請書 — 10 年夢越做越大
https://daodu.tech/04-16-2019-uber-ipo- ... -than-ever

Have fun.