Hundreds of ‘conventional’ Bali taxi drivers joined up and held yet another demo in Denpasar on Wednesday morning in front of the governor’s office to protest ride-hailing apps, Grab and Uber.
Various drivers’ alliances were in attendance, according to reports.
“They are not licensed, the companies are not licensed. They applications must be blocked,” demo coordinator, Ketut Witra said in a speech, as quoted by Bali Post.
On the sidelines of the demonstration, a number of the participants could be seen praying together. One of the prayers said was for Bali’s governor to come outside his office and meet them, according to the Post.
Wednesday’s demo has been one of many in Bali by ‘conventional’ drivers over the past few years urging the government to clamp down on Uber and Grab, apps that have disrupted the industry, often preferred by tourists for their more standardized and transparent rates and convenient ordering systems.
Tensions in Bali are as high as ever in the transportation industry. Just last month, an Uber driver was assaulted in Seminyak.
While the government has previously made moves to ban the services—more so against Uber than Grab—the apps remain very much operational in Bali.
