The car-share and taxi application Uber has closed its service in Spain in compliance with a judicial ruling made on December 9th following a complaint by the Taxi Association.
The app actually ceased working on December 25th after allied services, such as credit card companies, cut off the support necessary for it to function properly in compliance with the court order.
Uber began operating in Spain about nine months ago, offering a similar service to the one it operates in the USA. However, taxi associations, a closed shop in Spain, began a series of protests which have ultimately led to the closure.
As Uber drivers do not have official taxi licences and no proper insurance to cover taking passengers, the taxi associations claimed it was unfair competition. The Court ordered Uber to cease activities pending the result of legal action brought by the Madrid Taxi Association.
Uber faced similar protests and problems in the USA before a regulatory framework was adopted which allowed the service to operate normally.
In Spain, Uber started in Barcelona and then opened up in Madrid and Valencia. The company does not rule out resuming its service, which they do not see as competition for taxis, if a legal framework can be negotiated.