Commuters are facing a tough drive to work today in London, Paris, Madrid, and Berlin, where local taxi drivers plan to protest ride-sharing service Uber by blocking city streets.
The San Francisco-based company, which promises private car service at the tap of a smartphone screen, has expanded into a number of European cities, many of which are the scene of today's demonstrations.
According to Bloomberg, more than 30,000 taxi and limo drivers will participate, causing traffic jams in major European tourist centers and shopping districts.
Protestors want stricter rules for Uber, which currently does not require its drivers to carry a unique license, which can cost up to €200,000 ($270,780/£161,160), Bloomberg said.
The long-running animosity between local cabbies and Uber resulted in vehicle damage in Paris earlier this year. But today's strike demonstrates a more united front across European cities, including Manchester, Lyon, and Zurich.
In response to the international campaign, Uber today announced a new black-cab service in London—a cashless service that allows users to book and pay directly through their Uber app.
The wheelchair-accessible UberTaxi, which can seat up to six passengers and carry oversized luggage, will follow London-based fare rates, and promises no additional booking fees for clients.
"We recognize the unique heritage and value of traditional black cabs when it comes to getting around," Uber London general manager Jo Bertram wrote in a blog post. "UberTaxi is another way of using technology to offer more choice, making life simpler and keeping London moving."
But Uber isn't exactly welcome in the English capital city, where taxi drivers said Uber cars are effectively equipped with taximeters, despite laws against their use in private cars. Uber, however, said that regulatory agency Transport for London (TFL) does not consider the use of a smartphone app within a private car to be the same as a taximeter.
The London Licensed Taxi Drivers Association's (LTDA) general secretary, Steve McNamara, went as far as to call Uber an "American monster that has no qualms about breaching any and all laws in the pursuit of profit, most of which will never see a penny of tax paid in the U.K."
Uber is not the only app-based car service under fire in London, though. Black-cab drivers also attacked the offices of Hailo, defacing the walls with the word "Scabs."
As some people pointed out on Twitter, the widespread protests might have the unwanted effect of alerting residents to the existence of Uber.
Didn't know about the @Uber app until the taxi strikes in London today. Which is probably the opposite of what they wanted.
— Sergio (@SergioMallardo) June 11, 2014Seems the Taxi protest in London has backfired on the cabbies Über report 850% downloads increase on last Wednesday, we are just Dinosaurs
— Des (@destaxi) June 11, 2014I would like to thank London taxi drivers for making me aware of #uber and forcing others to use the tube. Not thought this out have they
— A Blade (@justacword) June 11, 2014