Uber announces acquisition of Taiwan's Crown Taxi

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) Uber announced Monday it will acquire Taiwan's local taxi company Crown Taxi to provide local customers with diverse transportation options and demonstrate its commitment to cultivating the Taiwan market and deepening cooperation with the local taxi industry.

The acquisition is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

In a statement, Uber said that if the deal is approved, it is expected to provide Crown Taxi professional drivers with a smoother working experience and enable more passengers, particularly those in areas with relatively limited transportation resources, to have access to Uber's services.

Uber Taiwan General Manager Margarita Peker said that Taiwan is one of the most mature and competitive digital ride-hailing markets in the world. This acquisition underscores Uber's commitment to continued investment in Taiwan.

Peker noted that Uber has been cooperating with Taiwan's taxi industry for over a decade, and that the deal with Crown Taxi represents a deeper partnership with local stakeholders to offer more diverse transportation options to the Taiwanese public.

Uber looks forward to working more closely with Taiwan's government and helping Crown Taxi's professional drivers transition smoothly onto the Uber platform, she added.

After it was established in 2011, Crown Taxi has been working with Uber since 2017 by dispatching drivers via the Uber platform. Once regulatory approval for the acquisition is obtained, Uber will work closely with Crown Taxi's management team and drivers to ensure a smooth and efficient integration and transition process, Uber explained in the statement.

Both Uber and Crown Taxi will continue to provide passenger services, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Crown Taxi Chairman Wu Chun-te (吳俊德) said the acquisition is expected to bring new development opportunities for Crown Taxi and its professional drivers.