If the government announced that they will not make pressure for a law to regulate Uber and the only existing legislative proposal in this regard does not progress, what can be done to sort out the matter and stop the controversy?
Rogelio Fernández, a lawyer for the Association of Free Consumers of Costa Rica, said that in many cases, regulations are not convenient and that the best regulator is the market (supply and demand).
Who is thinking about the consumer? A regulation has been asked, but not according to the consumer’s best interest. The consumer is the one who must ultimately choose which transportation they will use”
said Fernández.
Carlos Villalta, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation, expressed that the only way to regulate applications such as Uber is by an issued bill from the Legislature.
In addition, the Minister said that despite the pressure from various sectors, they´re not going to change the strategy towards the company’s operation.
Fernández, who insists that the regulations are a detriment to society, asked why people insist on
thinking that only what is regulated is good. Transportation has to be optimized, not for the one with the concession but for the one who pays for the service.”
The Association of Free Consumers insists on saying the Executive and the Legislature must promote a solution for a regulatory framework that includes collaborative economies and other modalities that are generated by technology.
But the taxi drivers argue that Uber is illegal and should be banned by the authorities. They are demanding the cease of Uber operations in Costa Rica and if the answer is not satisfactory to their interests, the demonstrations and blockades are probably going to continue.