Uber coming to Slovenia

Uber, the US ride-hailing company, is coming to Slovenia. The US embassy in Ljubljana has announced it will host the event to mark the launch on 20 May, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

"As a global leader in ride-sharing and mobility solutions, Uber's arrival in Slovenia represents a significant step towards enhancing transportation options and fostering innovation in the region," the US embassy wrote in a press release on 13 May.

At the Uber launch event, hosted by Chargé d'Affaires Melania Arreaga, more should be made known about the company's vision for sustainable and accessible mobility in Slovenia.

Uber told the news portal Žurnal24 in April it was considering entering the Slovenian market and if it did, it would operate in line with local legislation.

The Environment Ministry confirmed at the time that talks were underway. It said Uber would enter the market "within the framework of existing legislation in Slovenia."

The ministry has now told the Slovenian Press Agency that Uber officials told them in a meeting on 14 April that they were planning to operate in the broader area of Ljubljana as a call platform linking users with ride providers, similarly as other taxi companies.

The ministry says legislative changes are not planned due to the arrival of the new market player nor it is involved in procedures related to Uber's entry into Slovenia.
Under Slovenian legislation, a taxi must use a taximeter, while there is no legal basis for an app such as the one used by Uber as a possible form of payment for taxi services.

Under the previous government legislative amendments were passed to provide the legal basis for transportation platforms such as Uber, but the changes were reversed under the current government.

The portal Forbes Slovenia reported in April that the Taxi Drivers' Union was outraged at the meeting between the ministry and Uber representatives, because they had not been informed about it.

The union's head Dejan Jefim threatened protests by taxi drivers if the authorities continued negotiations with Uber.

Meanwhile, Žurnal24 cited several Slovenian taxi drivers in reporting that Uber was trying to recruit them for some time.