Another application appears that promises to be talked about. Chafer is the first Portuguese application that connects users and drivers, competing directly with Uber and Cabify.
The Chafer started operating at the beginning of this month, starting up simultaneously in Lisbon, Porto and Algarve. The startup does not have dynamic fares – as happens with Uber -, which changes the value of the trip depending on the level of demand.
And by referring to values, this offers two levels, depending on the chosen service – Economic and Executive. In Economy mode the base fare is around €1, per minute of travel are charged €0.10 and €0.65 per kilometer. The minimum amount to pay per trip is around €2.5. Amount that also corresponds to the cancellation fee.
In Executive mode, the values increase to €2 in relation to the base rate, €0.40 per minute and €1 per kilometer. The minimum amount payable per trip and cancellation fee amount to €6.
Among the various features, the application allows you to schedule the trip 24 hours in advance, with the user knowing at the outset which car and driver will pick him up. It also allows you to have a list of “favorite” drivers, giving priority to these over the rest.
The business model does not differ from current operators, where a fee will be paid to Chafer by partner companies and drivers. In the case of Chafer, the fee is 20% for each trip made. Like the others, the partner companies are licensed to transport passengers with a private driver, with tourist entertainment and rent-a-car companies being part of this group.
Finally, the Chafer has ambitions beyond national borders. The company hopes to arrive soon in Spain, Brazil, United Kingdom and Russia.
Electronic platforms are not yet regulated
Around here, the confusion about the legality of electronic platforms continues to reign. The proposed regulation seems to have been forgotten, after the advances made in defining these regulations at the beginning of the year.
Several proposals are under discussion, but there is still no consensus among the various parliamentary groups on key issues such as a hypothetical quota.
Until that happens, the PSP continues to have an explicit order to fine these vehicles, with fines of between five and 15 thousand euros. Since the end of November 2016, 328 inspection actions have been carried out, detecting 1128 infractions that resulted in 729 fines for administrative infractions.
Source: Observer