US Taxi E-hailing service Uber is experiencing a country-wide outage this morning. Drivers are unable to connect to the platform and passengers cannot hail a cab through the app.
A message when opening the app says: “We are experiencing a brief disruption which is making it difficult for drivers to use the app. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this is causing and our thanks to the Uber community for their patience as we work through the issue.”
Once in the app, the user is told all UberX, Uber Black and UberSUV vehicles are in use.
An Uber spokesperson said the team is working to resolve the issue and get the service back online. No reason was given for the outage.
Last month, Uber dropped its fares on UberX by up to 20% in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. In a related story, Uber was accused of engaging in predatory pricing and anti-competitive behaviour in South Africa, City Press reported. According to the report, 8 regional taxi companies and 150 individual members of the SA Meter Taxi Association filed the application with the Competition Commission.
The complaint was filed in November 2015 and is under investigation, the Commission said.
Responding to complaints that Uber doesn’t comply with the National Land Transport Act, the Uber said that it does not own any vehicles and that it only licenses technology to independent transport operators who can connect with people that want a ride.
“These partners are required to hold all the appropriate operating licenses,” Uber said.
Uber added that authorities around the world have welcomed the increased competition Uber brings to the taxi industry.
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