Colombia’s Superintendency for Transport has fined taxi service Uber for providing unauthorized taxi services, the state entity announced Monday.
Uber was fined in spite of agreeing to a six-month deadline with the administration in November that would allow the transport service to formally register as a company in Colombia.
Santos gives Uber 6 months to formalize or face ban in Colombia
Uber is controversial with Colombia’s taxi drivers who claim the app-based service is illegally competing with the traditional taxi services.
The Superintendent agreed with the taxi drivers and ruled that “partners and drivers registered with Uber Colombia and its platform offer an unauthorized service.”
Additionally, the company illegally “facilitates service provision under irregular conditions,” said Transport Superintendent Pablo Arteaga.
While unprecedented in Colombia, the fine for Uber is small compared to the $7 million it was forced to pay over similar claims made in California in January.