A rough 2017 continues to unspool for Uber, the ride-share company that can't catch a break—not even in Europe.
SEE ALSO:Uber's Travis Kalanick: Yep, I'm a jerk, basicallyCome April, Uber will say goodbye to Denmark as the country starts enforcing new taxi laws—requiring taxi meters and surveillance equipment in vehicles—that will make it impossible for Uber to keep operating in Copenhagen, the only city in Denmark where Uber was doing business.
Uber says there are 300,000 riders and 2,000 drivers in Denmark currently. Those drivers would also be affected by a new law that sets a limit on issuing new cab licenses per quarter (125) that would dramatically curtail the addition of new drivers.
According to a statement from Uber, it doesn't seem like Uber is saying "goodbye forever" so much as "we're going home, let's sort this thing out."
"For us to operate in Denmark again the proposed regulations need to change. We will continue to work with the government in the hope that they will update their proposed regulations and enable Danes to enjoy the benefits of modern technologies like Uber."
That said, the company won't be completelydark in Denmark, even if its services are no longer offered. It still employs a few dozen people at a data center in the city of Aarhus, and will offer "dedicated resources" to drivers being shut out.
Getting kicked out of Denmark is actually pretty low-key for Uber, whose bad 2017 has also featured a self-driving car crash, more allegations of sexism and harassment, losing leadership, narcing on teens, and, oh, just going to an escort bar in South Korea.
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