Taxi drivers in Hungary block traffic in Budapest to protest against Uber

MORE than 100 taxis are blocking traffic in downtown Budapest, demanding a ban on Uber and other ride-hailing apps.

Hungarian police officers control the traffic in downtown Budapest on January 18, 2016 during a taxi drivers' demonstration againts Uber application. / AFP / FERENC ISZA

MORE than 100 taxis are blocking traffic in downtown Budapest, demanding a ban on Uber and other ride-hailing apps.

The yellow vehicles from several taxi companies are blocking most lanes of a key intersection in the Hungarian capital near St. Stephen’s Basilica, causing traffic delays.

Placards placed on the windscreens of the taxis show the word “Uber” crossed out in red, with the accompanying message: “No thanks!”.

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Hungarian police officers ... control the traffic in downtown Budapest. Picture: AFP

Taxi drivers said they would go later Monday to the office of Budapest’s mayor to present a petition with their demands.

Budapest taxi drivers blocking city centre junction in anti-#Uber protest pic.twitter.com/CdbZnGtYmD

— Peter Murphy (@MurphyPeterN) January 18, 2016

Protest organisers said they want to show Mayor Istvan Tarlos “that the current condition is unsustainable” and called for fines against Uber drivers and the immediate shutdown of the service.

Uber says it has 1,200 drivers and 80,000 users in Budapest.

Traffic has been secured by the Hungarian Police, and drivers have been requested to avoid the area surrounding the protest.

Taxi cab drivers gather ... at Erzsebet Square during an unannounced demonstration against the use of Uber rideshare application in the early morning hours in downtown Budapest. Picture: AP

On June 24 last year, the Hungarian government approved a decree, that came into effect on August 6. It required local drivers for Uber to become licensed taxi drivers.

But Uber has continued its operations in Budapest regardless of the decree.