Indonesian drivers stage violent anti-Uber protest

Thousands of Indonesian taxi drivers staged a violent protest March 22 against Uber and other ride-hailing services, blocking major roads in the capital, clashing with drivers from app-based rivals and setting tires alight.

The protesters, who also included motorized rickshaw and bus drivers, adorned their vehicles with signs saying "stop illegal taxis" and rallied in front of parliament and the communications ministry, in an upsurge of anger at apps that the drivers say are threatening their livelihoods.

As convoys of vehicles brought downtown Jakarta to a standstill, the demonstration turned violent, with protesters jumping up and down on vehicles that refused to take part, while taxi drivers and rivals from app-based services clashed and hurled rocks on a main thoroughfare.

Commuters faced rush-hour travel chaos, with even the motorcades of President Joko Widodo and the vice president getting stuck in the gridlock, making both men late for a meeting.

Anger has been growing among taxi drivers worldwide at the challenge presented by U.S. company Uber, one of the world's most valuable start-ups, and a flurry of other app-based services that typically offer cheaper fares than traditional transport operators.

Herman, a 49-year-old taxi driver involved in the Jakarta protest who goes by one name, said his earnings had dwindled from around 250,00 rupiah ($20) a day several months ago, to almost nothing due to the increased competition.

"I haven't paid my rent, and I need to feed my three children and my wife," he said.

The demonstration came after weeks of rising tensions between traditional public transport operators in the sprawling, traffic-clogged metropolis of 10 million and a flurry of new ride-hailing...