Taxi Drivers to Block Uber at Flic-en-Flac

Tensions between Mauritius's established taxi industry and the arrival of Uber are coming to a head, with organised taxi operators announcing direct action on the ground. Naik Vengidasamy, president of the Northern Hotel Taxi Owners Association, has confirmed that the Western Hotel Taxi Owners Association will move to physically block what they describe as illegal transport operations at Flic-en-Flac on Wednesday, 17 September. The action targets private vehicles operating without proper authorisation in the area — vehicles that taxi drivers say are systematically poaching their clients, particularly around hotels where licensed taxis are stationed. Vengidasamy is openly critical of Transport Minister Osman Mahomed, accusing him of failing to communicate adequately with the taxi sector during what many drivers regard as an existential threat to their livelihoods. The frustration has been building since Uber's entry into the Mauritian market, and this week's planned blockade is the most concrete expression of that anger yet. The move was not spontaneous. It was formally announced at a press conference on 1 September, giving it the character of a coordinated industry response rather than a spontaneous protest. Vengidasamy also pointed to an existing ruling by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which stipulates that private cars are prohibited from accessing hotels where licensed taxis operate — a regulation he says is being routinely ignored. In a further escalation, Vengidasamy has written to the Commissioner of Police requesting a formal meeting to address the situation, signalling that the taxi sector is prepared to push this issue through multiple channels simultaneously. The broader context here is significant. Uber's arrival in Mauritius has exposed a long-standing regulatory grey area: the island's transport laws were not designed with app-based ride-hailing in mind, leaving enforcement agencies caught between outdated frameworks and a fast-moving digital economy. Until the government produces clear, enforceable legislation that levels the playing field — or meaningfully updates taxi licensing conditions — flashpoints like Flic-en-Flac are likely to multiply across the island. For tourists and residents in the West, Wednesday's action could cause disruption around the hotel belt. Travellers are advised to plan alternative transport arrangements and monitor local updates.