Jakarta – The company behind the popular but controversial ride-hailing mobile app Uber is campaigning for support among its Indonesian users to ensure it has "a permanent home" in the country.
The call comes days after the Jakarta Police announced the launch of a task force to "hunt down" Uber drivers, and the Bandung administration decreed a ban on the service in the West Java capital.
"If successful, this task force will destroy 6,000+ driver jobs and limit your choice of how you travel around your city," Uber Technologies wrote on a website to garner online support for the service.
"Cities all over the world are embracing ride-sharing as a way to address the shortcomings of mass transit, reduce congestion, and connect previously isolated neighborhoods," it added. "These are benefits that people are experiencing right now in more than 300 cities around the world."
The petition addresses Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil and has drawn more than 22,000 signatures since it went up on Saturday. Its goal is to reach 25,000.
Uber, which began operating in Indonesia in August last year, has also taken its campaign to Twitter with the hashtag #UBER4Indonesia.
The service has faced several regulatory and legal hurdles in most countries where it operates. In Indonesia, it faces stern opposition from licensed taxi operators, regulators and the police, all of whom argue that the online service is not compliant with prevailing public transportation regulations.
Several Uber drivers have been apprehended in raids by officials previously, but none were ever charged, according to Uber.
Commuters in Jakarta, though, have largely welcomed the arrival of Uber, which they tout as being cheaper and offering a better service than regular taxis.
We need more reliable and affordable ride! #Uber4Indonesia – Lia Kurrota (@auliaka) September 12, 2015
"Claim our rights as consumers and it's time that Organda" – the association of public transportation operators – "clean itself up #UBER4Indonesia," Twitter user @kucink wrote on Monday.
Another Twitter user, @panji_sudoyo, wrote: "Signed the petition because they provide a much-needed, lower cost, higher-quality service. Nuff said. #UBER4Indonesia."
Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/uber-mines-commuter-community-support-amid-crackdown/