Starting December 1st, Uber’s popular ride service, UberX, will be available throughout Wallonia, marking a significant expansion for the platform in Belgium. But with this growth comes a new regulatory framework aimed at balancing innovation with sector stability.
A Strategic Launch
Uber is already a household name in Brussels and Flanders, and after limited success in four Walloon cities—Liège, Namur, Charleroi, and Mons—the company is now ready to offer its UberX service across the entire region. The timing isn’t accidental: December 1st also marks the implementation of a new Walloon decree that reforms taxi regulations.
This decree formalises the inclusion of "street taxis" a category typical of Uber-like platforms, alongside the more traditional "station taxis" which operate from designated spots. The goal? To create a fairer playing field for both professional taxi drivers and drivers of ride-hailing services.
The Potential in Wallonia
Uber’s operations lead for Belgium, Laurent Slits, expressed enthusiasm about expanding further into Wallonia. “Our early success in these cities has been very encouraging” he said, adding that word-of-mouth from both drivers and passengers has been a key growth factor.
While Slits refrained from sharing specific numbers of trips or registered drivers, he is optimistic. “Wallonia will likely follow the same pattern as other regions in the country” he said.
DO YOU OFTEN USE UBER ?
Yes, a lot
Yes, a few times
No, not really
A Gradual Rollout
Despite Uber’s readiness to launch, the rollout won’t happen overnight. Drivers can only start applying for their required licenses on December 1st, and the process depends heavily on local municipalities.
“Will we be active everywhere in Wallonia right away? No" Slits admitted. Instead, the app will initially focus on larger towns and cities, with smaller areas coming online later. Local licensing rules mean drivers can only pick up passengers within the municipality they’re registered in or transport them to another location.
Slits remains optimistic, though. “It’ll take time, but if we look at Flanders, smaller towns and even villages eventually became connected after larger cities paved the way.”
New Rules to Prevent Chaos
To avoid market disruptions, the Walloon decree introduces several safeguards:
Minimum fares: €1.65 per kilometer and €8 per ride.
Vehicle limits: Only one "street taxi" per 1,500 residents in each municipality.
Philippe Henry, the former Walloon Minister for Mobility, explained that the reform aims to make mobility more flexible, secure, and modern while keeping the market regulated.
A Divisive Arrival
While Uber’s expansion could improve mobility options in southern Belgium, it hasn’t been without controversy. Traditional taxi drivers have voiced concerns about the company’s practices, with recent protests in Brussels highlighting ongoing tensions.
Nonetheless, Uber is pressing forward, confident in its ability to thrive under Wallonia’s new framework.
Read the full article in French at Le Soir.
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