Uber announces expansion into central and northeastern Switzerland

The American ride-hailing service Uber has announced that it is expanding into central and northeastern Switzerland. 

Uber now active in Glarus, Uri, Schwyz and other Swiss cantons

Passengers in the Swiss cantons of Glarus, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden can now book rides with the popular app-based service Uber, Watson reports. 

According to an Uber press release, the company will initially offer its core product, UberX, in the cantons, offering transportation to residents, commuters and tourists. Uber said it aims to meet demand for additional mobility solutions, especially in popular tourist regions. Rides will be offered by licensed taxi and limousine drivers. 

The Uber website explains that waiting times might be a little longer in these more rural regions than they would be in major Swiss cities, but that prebooking a ride is a good way to ensure that someone is there to get you when you need it. 

Uber has faced a bumpy rollout in Switzerland

As the press release says, Uber is now available pretty much everywhere in Switzerland - something that at one point seemed unlikely to happen. The ridesharing app has faced a pretty bumpy road to expand its operations in Switzerland, coming up against regulatory issues and court rulings that classified its drivers as employees rather than self-employed people. 

Uber has also faced fierce opposition from traditional taxis in Switzerland, who have launched complaints that accuse Uber of being an unfair competitor that is able to charge lower prices by bypassing labour regulations. 

For now, an uneasy truce has been reached, under which Uber complies with local labour laws - for instance, contributing to social security for its drivers - and operates like a regular dispatch service that sends out licenced taxi drivers when it receives requests from customers.