The CEO of Uber's Maltese partner expressed confidence that the ride-hailing platform will meet the new technological requirements and continue operating in Malta.
Sebastian Ripard, CEO of Ride & Eats, tells WhosWho.mt that Uber is liaising with the authorities and is confident it can bring itself in line with the new requirements.
He said the authorities have provided timeframes for compliance with the new law, but declined to specify what they are.
However, he said Uber expects to implement the necessary technology within the next two weeks.
“We’re confident Uber will continue operating in Malta at the end of the process,” Mr Ripard stressed.
As part of a new law to regulate the Y-plate sector, ride-hailing platforms are obliged to update their technology in a manner that would allow self-employed drivers to see their trip fares and destinations before deciding whether to accept a ride request.
After the new law came into force yesterday, Uber informed its self-employed drivers that it is still working to implement the required technology, a process expected to take around two weeks.
In the meantime, they have been suspended from the platform.
Transport Malta subsequently and Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett warned Uber that it would suspend its operating licence if it fails to comply with the new law, with the Minister noting that the platform had been given months to prepare for the changes.
“This is a law that we wrote together with platforms, fleets and drivers, both self-employed and employees,” Dr Bonett said.
“The laws were written to strengthen the sector and ensure it gains credibility as a valid and strong alternative means of transport. These actions only harm the sector, and ultimately the workers. As a Government we won’t accept it and we encourage Uber to immediately conform with the law.”
Rides & Eats, a subsidiary of Alf Mizzi & Sons, has been engaged as Uber’s local partner since the US cab giant entered the Maltese market in 2022.
It has a physical office in Malta and provides services such as on-boarding support for drivers and certain marketing services.
However, Mr Ripard confirmed last month Rides & Eats and Uber are reviewing this relationship and that the scope of the services offered by Rides & Eats is set to change.
He said these changes will have no impact on customers or drivers and that Uber will remain available in Malta.
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