As huge anti-Uber protest brings Jakarta to a halt, taxi drivers turn against each other

One of Jakarta’s main roads at 8.40 am taken over by a convoy of taxis. Photo credit: Jakarta traffic management center.

Part of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, is at standstill this morning as yet another large-scale protest by taxi drivers unfolds.

It follows on from last week’s demonstration by public transport drivers against Uber and Grab.

At last week’s protest, Jakarta’s taxi companies stood together in solidarity. They protested a decline in income which they say came about when Uber and Grab launched app-based private car services in Indonesia’s capital. The taxi drivers demanded that Uber and Grab be banned or at least comply with similar regulations as taxi companies.

Confusing message

At today’s demonstration, the message is confused – and things are turning ugly in places. Taxi drivers from different operators turned against each other. At least one Blue Bird taxi was wrecked.

A Blue Bird taxi was attacked by fellow drivers. Passenger cars were stopped. Photo credit: Arie Parikesit.

According to Jakarta residents’ comments on Twitter, taxi drivers who didn’t join the strike were attacked by fellow taxi drivers.

On some of Jakarta’s major roads, including the inner city highway, complete chaos ensued. Taxi drivers flooded the streets and intercepted moving cars. There were also some reports of violence and intimidation against motorcycle-based transportation services GrabBike and Go-Jek.

The disturbing video below shows a taxi reversing into other drivers standing on roadside, almost running them over.

Uber and Grab got the green light

Taxi companies officially distanced themselves from today’s protests, saying drivers were acting on their own accord, but they should have done more to stop their drivers from participating.

After all, the situation has changed since the demonstrations last Monday, when Uber and Grab’s legal status was still in question. The government scored a breakthrough in its negotiations with Uber and Grab last week. Government agencies, including the ministry of transportation, opened an avenue for Uber and Grab to obtain licenses and operate in Jakarta legally.