Brussels "paralyzed" as taxis interrupt traffic to protest against Uber

BRUSSELS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Over 650 taxis are causing disruption in and around Brussels as they mobilized on Tuesday against licensed limousine drivers using the Uber app.

More than 650 taxis in total took part in the protests in Brussels and the outer ring, according to an estimate by Ilse Van De Keere, spokesman of the Brussels-Ixelles police, in a statement released on Tuesday morning.

From the Heysel Plateau down to the European Quarter, angry drivers paralyzed the city in protest. Tires were burnt at crossroads to further demonstrate their anger.

This demonstration of taxis is largely unauthorized, according to reports by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir. In principle, all gatherings of this kind must be the object of a request for authorization issued at least ten days before the chosen date.

Traffic problems were reported in many places, reported the Belgian newspaper La Libre. Police have also warned commuters against driving their car when traveling to the capital.

Public transport services -- De Lijn, STIB and TEC -- are also affected, according to a statement by the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB) spokesman.

In response to the protests, the general manager of Uber Belgium Joost Verdriesenhas issued a statement saying that "all professional drivers have a role to play in improving mobility in Brussels". Enditem