Global car-pooling firm Über's drivers face five-figure fines from Monday

A CAR-POOLING network operating worldwide which has fallen foul of Spanish taxi drivers and authorities will come under the microscope from Monday in Madrid.

Über, which started in the USA and now operates in several European countries, allows ordinary people planning to travel in their cars to get in touch with others going in the same direction and share the ride.

Far cheaper than travelling by taxi, Über operators get to cut the costs of their petrol or even make an income, and it reduces emissions and traffic.

All operators are required to show at least third party insurance cover so that any injuries to passengers are covered, must have a clean licence and their vehicles must be well-maintained and fully legal.

Deputy minister for transport in the Greater Madrid region, Borja Carabante, has promised taxi drivers to clamp down on and fine Über operators starting from this coming Monday, October 6.

Vehicles will be stopped and inspected, and Über itself has been given 10 days to supply 'all necessary documents' in order to 'prove it is operating within Spanish law' – a deadline which expired yesterday (Friday).

If the regional government does not consider the car-pooling company to be a legitimate taxi firm, every single service operated by its drivers will be subject to a fine of up to 18,000 euros.

The same will apply to private car-owners giving lifts in exchange for money, meaning the airport will come under scrutiny to crack down on drivers dropping people off or picking them up for a profit.

Drivers, be they Über operators or independent and private vehicle-owners, will be hit with fines ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 euros for a first offence and 18,000 euros for subsequent occasions, followed by the vehicle being impounded.

The documents Über drivers were required to show were council permits showing they are legally registered as taxi drivers – a service which comes under the jurisdiction of local governments and which is normally publicly-run with drivers on a local authority franchise, and limited in number according to how many the town hall or city hall wishes to have operating in the municipality.

Private taxi firms are not generally found.

Any driver who cannot show a council licence will be fined, warns Madrid transport authority.