According to a statement on the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection's (OCCP) website, the results of monitoring Uber's activities in Poland have provided no grounds for intervention.
Uber, a US company offering a smartphone application that connects consumers and drivers providing transport services, operates in Poland's five largest cities.
As indicated in the OCCP's statement, Uber's operations cannot be qualified as restricting competition. According to the OCCP, Uber puts competitive pressure on taxi companies. Its competitive advantage stems from using modern information technology, which enables it to run its fleet of cars more effectively. However, in the OCCP's opinion, Uber's rivals could copy its business model to compete successfully on the local passenger transportation market.
The OCCP explained that consumer rights are also respected – passengers are informed about the nature of the service, tariffs and the scope of liability of Uber and the driver. It was also stressed that no consumer complaints regarding Uber's activities in Poland have been lodged so far.
In its conclusion the OCCP stated that the entry of a new player on the local market for passenger transportation had:
- strengthened competition;
- ensured a wider choice of carriers for consumers; and
- forced Uber's competitors to improve the quality and innovativeness of their services.
For further information on this topic please contact Katarzyna Terlecka or Pawel Kulak at Schönherr by telephone (+48 22 223 09 00) or email ([email protected] or [email protected]). The Schönherr website can be accessed at www.schoenherr.eu.
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