After meeting with taxi unions, Presidency Minister Sergio Alfaro said Uber, valued at $50 billion, has a “strong negative social impact” on Costa Rica.
“We’re not in the business of censoring the Internet,” Science and Technology Minister Mauricio Jenkins told reporters after the government refused to block Uber in Costa Rica.
The van service for groups of between seven and 14 is aimed at capturing families and larger groups of tourists looking to take day trips from San José.
It was too good to last. Uber’s "surge pricing" — a multiplier added to the fare depending on demand for rides — started in Costa Rica Thursday, according to a post from the ride-hailing service.
Taxi fares in Costa Rica will drop 3 to 20 percent following new guidelines from the Public Services Regulatory Authority, despite opposition from drivers.
Taxi drivers blocked a central street in Montevideo on Friday to prevent ride-sharing service Uber from training new drivers as it seeks to roll out service in Uruguay.
