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Fines are flying around! Uber creates a new category and, two days after its launch, there are inspections, vehicles are seized and fines of R$2.600 are issued

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 14/01/2025 às 13:38
Uber faces inspection two days after launching chartered buses. Fines and seizures put service at risk. Check it out!
Uber faces inspection two days after launching chartered buses. Fines and seizures put service at risk. Check it out!

Uber launched a chartered bus category, but the joy was short-lived. Two days after the launch, inspections resulted in seizures and fines totaling R$2.600. Viação Mimo, an Uber partner, is considering abandoning the service. This is yet another controversy that puts regulation at the center of the debate.

Uber is once again at the center of a controversy involving the regulation of its services. This time, the novelty is a category that promises to transform urban mobility with the use of chartered buses.

However, two days after the launch, the first complications came to light: strict inspections, vehicle seizures and significant fines have already put the project in check.

Quick inspection and hefty fine

Uber's new category, the result of a partnership with Viação Mimo, was launched in Guarulhos, with routes that connect the city to important business centers in São Paulo, such as Santo Amaro, Berrini, Itaim Bibi and Pinheiros.

The services began on January 8, 2025, but it didn't take long for them to attract the attention of regulatory bodies.

On January 10, the Military Police, EMTU (Metropolitan Urban Transport Company) and Artesp (São Paulo State Transport Agency) carried out an inspection operation that resulted in the inspection of 25 buses.

Two vehicles were seized and Viação Mimo received fines of R$2.600 for each bus in an irregular situation.

According to Artesp and EMTU, the operation was necessary because the service was being carried out without the proper authorizations, characterizing clandestine transport.

Company positioning

In response to the inspection, Viação Mimo stated that, if it is proven that its operations are irregular, it will immediately terminate its partnership with Uber.

The company made it clear that it does not intend to compromise its reputation for the sake of a service that has not yet been regulated.

On the other hand, Uber maintained its stance of defining itself as a technology company and not a transportation company.

According to the company's own explanations, its role is to act as an intermediary between passengers and transport operators.

This approach, however, is nothing new and has already been used by the company on numerous other occasions.

Conflict history from Uber

Uber's strategy of launching services without seeking prior approvals has already generated several regulatory clashes over the years.

The most notable of these was the introduction of ride-hailing services, which provoked strong resistance from the taxi sector.

Another example was the launch of Uber Moto in São Paulo. At the time, the city government claimed a lack of adequate infrastructure and a high risk of accidents, creating a decree that prohibited the operation of the service.

Now, with chartered transportation, the situation is repeating itself. Both EMTU and Artesp argue that Uber must follow all legal procedures to ensure that the service is regulated and safe.

This includes proving that operations comply with the safety standards required by the authorities.

Calculated risk or recklessness?

Experts point out that Uber's stance is risky. The company adopts a strategy of launching new services to test their viability before seeking formal regulation.

According to analysts, this approach allows the company to assess whether the market is favorable, but it also increases the risk of penalties and friction with regulatory bodies.

It is no surprise that the fines fell on Viação Mimo, the company directly responsible for the vehicles used.

Still, Uber remains firm in its stance, reiterating that its role is to connect passengers with transport operators, without being directly involved in operations.

Impacts on the mobility market

This situation raises questions about the regulation of new transport models.

For experts, it is essential that initiatives like this are accompanied by in-depth discussions between companies, governments and society.

After all, the objective should be to expand mobility options without compromising user safety.

With the possibility of Viação Mimo closing its service, the future of this category at Uber remains uncertain.

The company will need to decide whether to seek formal regulation or abandon the idea, as it has done on other occasions.

For now, what is known is that the chartered transport model will be another chapter in the history of clashes between innovation and regulation.

What do you think?

Should Uber continue with this transportation model despite the fines and inspections? Or would it be more prudent to wait for regulations before launching new services? Leave your opinion in the comments!

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Stephen of Lima Martins
Stephen of Lima Martins
14/01/2025 16:14

Uber always wants to break the law. There are rules to be followed for the transportation of passengers by bus as well as taxi. I find it very strange that Mimo would get involved in this ****, because as a bus company it is aware of the law. Why don't the inspection bodies do the same with passenger vehicles that transport passengers without municipal authorization?

Paulo Braga
Paulo Braga
14/01/2025 16:29

At that point, that was all Uber wanted. They investigated the viability. They already know how it works and should gain some support from the national political elite in the coming days. In other words, the service will exist, whether they like it or not. But you know what, Uber will win and with it the people will also gain another decent means of transport.

Alexandre Marcos jaulino of pleasures.
Alexandre Marcos jaulino of pleasures.
14/01/2025 16:47

I should have planned better before creating new technological services and instead sought information about regulations and even the operational parts. After ten years, app drivers have suffered a lot of persecution, and a company like Uber could not ignore its responsibilities. For example, it recently created a parking lot at Congonhas Airport and if the app driver is in line to enter, he is fined for standing still and waiting. I have never seen Uber's operational part taking action to investigate this and even the bus app company has the operational interest to study the case and get everything ready. It does everything so that it is the responsibility of the app drivers and the bus company alone.

Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints on broadcast TV channels and over 12 online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

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