The NL Times says that taxi drivers from the company Taxi Centrale Amsterdam are suspected to be behind the attacks. There are claims that the groups are trying to force Uber drivers to stop the competitors from working there.
The Telegraaf said today (translated to English) that “certainly two private riders” have been attacked and reported an incident to police. The authorities noted a “very serious” incident and are investigating.
A photo posted on Dutch website at5.nl shows a scene titled “Masked thugs hounding UberPop drivers.” (In Holland, the ride-booking app is called “UberPop.”) At5.nl explains that the events unfolded on Tuesday last week and says that an UberPop driver was surrounded by assailants and forced to stop his vehicle. The mob punctured tyres, poured “fluid” on the engine, and then restrained its victim, holding brass knuckles against his throat.
A second UberPop driver was also attacked by an angry mob — this one wearing clown masks and balaclavas, according to At5.nl. Instead of brass knuckles, however, a hammer was used. In yet another incident, several UberPop drivers were chased by taxi drivers, identified by their “Skyline” symbols on the roof of their vehicles. Two taxi drivers were arrested at the scene, according to the NL Times.
Niek van Leeuwen, a director of a taxi service called Uber Netherlands, told the Telegraaf: “This is a small group of extremely violent drivers. It is important that politics speak out against violence and for innovation.”
Problems with taxi drivers and UberPop appear rife in Holland. In Rotterdam and The Hague, two other Dutch cities, there are reports of taxi drivers ramming Uber drivers off the road.
We’ve asked Uber for a comment and will update this post when if/when we get one.
This article originally appeared in Business Insider. Copyright 2015.
