Image: The Economic Times

Uber said on Monday it was in talks with French social security agency Urssaf, which a media report said had ⁠concluded the U.S.-based company should treat its drivers as employees.

"We are currently engaged in a collaborative, transparent, and open discussion with France's social security body, URSSAF," an Uber ‌spokesperson said on Monday.

Urssaf told Reuters it does not comment on individual ‌cases or ongoing matters for reasons of confidentiality.

French investigative publication Revue21 reported that Urssaf considered that 71,194 drivers who worked for Uber between 2019 and 2022 on independent-contractor agreements should have been defined as employees.

The agency was seeking 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in social security contributions and a further 512 million ‌euros ‍in penalties, Revue21 added.

 

Source: The Economic Times

Click Here to Read More

The International Transport Forum (ITF) 2026 Summit on "Funding Resilient Transport" takes place from May 6-8, 2026 in Leipzig, Germany, under the Presidency of Azerbaijan. This year's summit will be the world's largest gathering of transport ministers and the premier global transport policy event. The 2026 theme, "Funding Resilient Transport," is the second in the 2025-2027 ITF Summit trilogy on transport resilience.

The 2026 edition of the world's premier transport policy features three ITF Spotlight on Research Sessions as part of the official Summit program. The sessions bring together research experts, senior-level policy practitioners, and decision-makers to discuss and exchange ideas on the Summit theme.

The sessions aim to inform policy decisions by helping practitioners understand the increasing complexity of mobility systems. They raise awareness of the latest innovations and transformative technologies and critically assess the impacts of current and proposed policies.

2026 Summit sessions address:

• Physical infrastructure resilience
• Digital infrastructure resilience
• Cybersecurity resilience

Researchers wishing to present their work can now submit abstracts for consideration.

Abstracts are due by March 6^th, 2026 and those interested in submitting abstracts or the event can go to Transportation Research Board - International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit

NY Rep. Malliotakis: Banning Newsmax in NYC Taxis 'Ludicrous'

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., blasted New York City leaders Monday over their efforts to block Newsmax from appearing on taxicab TV screens, calling the move "ludicrous" and "unconstitutional" during an appearance on Newsmax's "Wake Up America."

Click Here to Read More

The U.S. DOT Froze Funds for Electric Vehicle Chargers in NC. A Federal Judge Now Finds That Action ‘Unlawful’

President Trump froze billions in funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure early last year. Now, a federal court says that action was illegal.

Click Here to Read More

Ex-Amtrak CEO Gardner Joins Telos Advisers as Strategic Advisory Board Member

Former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has joined Telos Advisers, a national advisory firm specializing in complex transportation and infrastructure projects, as strategic advisory board member.

Click Here to Read More

Ride Service Ready to Compete with Uber and Lyft in More Ontario Markets

Hopp, a ride-hailing service that made its Canadian debut last year in select GTA markets, is now going to cover a larger share of Southern Ontario.

Click Here to Read More

Ontario Court of Appeal Case Could Set Precedent for Political Ads on Public Transit

The Court of Appeal for Ontario (ONCA) is set to hear oral arguments Tuesday in a case that could define the limits of free expression on government-provided advertising platforms across the province.

Click Here to Read More

Accessible Cabs in Toronto Are Dwindling. One Company Says the City Is Failing to Support Drivers

One of the largest taxi companies in Toronto will be down to three wheelchair-accessible cabs by the end of March, as advocates and providers say the city is failing to support accessible taxi drivers.

Click Here to Read More

Republic of Serbia Aims to Catalyze European Adoption of Air Taxis

Archer Aviation Inc. today announced a partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia as the country seeks to play a key role in driving the adoption of electric air taxis across Europe. Under the agreement, Serbia has selected Archer as its preferred eVTOL partner and has the option to purchase an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft. The agreement provides for the purchase of up to 25 aircraft, in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

Click Here to Read More

Warning from Taxi Association over Potential 3D and 4D Number Plates Ban as MPs Push Tougher Penalties

Plans to ban 3D and 4D vehicle number plates are moving closer to policy reality after MPs from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety recommended a nationwide prohibition, alongside tougher penalties for drivers using non-compliant plates. The proposals follow growing concern that raised and stylised number plates are contributing to enforcement failures, particularly where Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems are used by police, local authorities and transport bodies

Click Here to Read More

Taxi Giant Uber and EV Charging Firm Be.EV Partner in 12-Month Pilot

Taxi giant Uber and Be.EV, the Manchester-based electric vehicle charging business, have joined forces on a new deal designed to make public charging cheaper, simpler and more predictable for EV drivers. A 12-month pilot has begun in the North West of England using selected Be.EV hubs where Uber drivers can access ultra-rapid charging of up to 300kW, helping add meaningful range during a short stop. 

Click Here to Read More

International Transport Forum Hails Azerbaijan's Chairmanship of Extraordinary Session

An extraordinary session of the Transport Management Board of the International Transport Forum (ITF) was held in Paris. According to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the International Transport Forum hailed Azerbaijan's Chairmanship of the session.

Click Here to Read More

Uber Exits Tanzania after Nearly a Decade of Operations

Uber has officially ceased its ride-hailing operations in Tanzania, with services ending as of January 30, 2026 after almost ten years in the East African nation. The company informed customers via its app and communications that “Starting today, 30 January 2026, Uber services will no longer be available in Tanzania” and expressed “regret” for the inconvenience this may cause riders and drivers alike.

Click Here to Read More

Malaysian Taxis in Singapore Must Install OBU ahead of 2027 Rollout

Malaysian taxis operating in Singapore will be required to install the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2 system’s on-board unit ahead of its mandatory rollout on Jan 1, 2027. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said the move is necessary to allow the government to track and enforce against such vehicles if needed.

Click Here to Read More

Image: Kent J. Edwards 

When Zohran Mamdani took the stage at his election night party last year, he declared his victory was for all the struggling, overlooked New Yorkers who had propelled his rise to power.

He also singled out a taxi driver, addressing him directly in his speech: “My brother, we are in City Hall now.”

The mayor-elect was talking to Richard Chow, a 67-year-old taxi driver and immigrant from Myanmar who has been a regular presence in, first, Mr. Mamdani’s campaign, and now, his administration.

Mr. Chow drove Mr. Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, past the cheering crowds to his inauguration at City Hall on New Year’s Day.

Almost two weeks later, Mr. Chow drove Mr. Mamdani to his new home, Gracie Mansion, from a news conference at LaGuardia Airport where the mayor had nominated Midori Valdivia to lead the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission.

“I never even dreamed of a mayor riding in my cab,” said Mr. Chow in an interview as he drove his taxi on Tuesday night. “This year, I’ve already driven the mayor two times. My taxi cab is like a historic cab now.”

Source: New York Times

Click Here to Read More

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2026:

Weekly news snippets

Access to the membership database

Videos and files from recent conferences

Discounted rates for future conferences, and more!

Renew your membership at http://www.iatr.global or email info@iatr.global for any questions!