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TENSION ON THE ISLAND: Why tourists might want to avoid Ubers in Bali

Picture this: You need a ride in Bali. Would you a) order a car from a ride-sharing app on your phone like Uber or Grab, or b) pay a higher fare and take an old-school taxi?

Picture this: You need a ride in Bali. Would you a) order a car from a ride-sharing app on your phone like Uber or Grab, or b) pay a higher fare and take an old-school taxi?

It seems for most tourists, the first option would be the obvious choice. But perhaps it’s not the most ethical one.

This is an idea put forward by Business Insider in an article that takes a deeper look at the tension between ride-sharing apps and taxis in Bali.

Uber taxi unsplash

The tension is so high that it has regularly exploded into violent confrontations, including beatings and threats from the so-called “taxi mafia”.

To understand just how big the problem is you need to understand some of the traditional laws that unofficially govern Bali. 

As Business Insider explains each village in Bali is subdivided into multiple banjar.

Each banjar acts like a co-operative where the residents determine nearly every aspect of daily life at mandatory community meetings.

After ride-sharing apps become legal, taxi drivers put up signs marking their banjars no-go zones.

bali

You see, traditional taxi drivers give back to their banjars.

Business Insider spoke to a driver from The Batu Balong banjar.

He explained that drivers pocket only 70% of each fare, with the rest going back to the community: 10% for road maintenance, 10% for religious ceremonies, and 10% for the pecalang, or Balinese traditional police who handle issues the official police won’t deal with.

Money is also put into a taxi co-op that all the drivers belong to. This pool of cash can be used for lawyers, car insurance, and loans for drivers in need. If there is a profit, drivers are paid out at the end of the year.

bali child Indonesia

This driver says Uber and Grab profit off their community and give nothing back.

In Bali, taxi drivers’ prices are twice that of Grab and Go-Jek. But, now you can see why – your fare includes money that will be given back to the community you’re travelling through.

It’s definitely food for thought and something to be aware of on your next trip to Bali.

READ: Australians urged to boycott “wildlife abusement parks” in Bali

READ: Australian tourists are still OBSESSED with Bali, it’s borderline unhealthy

READ: This is no joke – Uber is actually planning to launch flying taxis in three years

Would you still choose a convenient phone app over a traditional taxi? Let us know below.