Dutch court bans Uber online taxi service

THE HAGUE - Uber, the US online ride-hailing service, has been banned from offering service in the Netherlands, or face a fine of 10,000 euros (S$16,200) per violation.

The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal in The Hague on Monday ordered Uber to stop providing the service known as UberPop, which it said broke a law requiring that drivers have a licence.

Uber could be fined up to 100,000 euros, while drivers could face fines of 10,000 euros, the court found.

Uber had asked the court to overturn a government-imposed ban of UberPop, the smartphone application used to set up rides.

The service, which has become popular because it offers cheaper taxi service, has already been banned in Germany and faces legal action in other European capitals.