Benzinga | Sep 30, 2021 12:22PM EDT

Uber Temporarily Suspends Brussels Service Pending Driver Reforms

* Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) has suspended its Brussels operation in solidarity with the 2,000 drivers' protests pending taxi and LVC sector reform for seven years.

* Uber announced on September 27 that it would temporarily halt service on September 30 between 8:30 and 11:30 am in an "exceptional and unprecedented" step in Europe, a first for the company.

* Rules dating back to 1995 prohibit drivers from using smartphones. As a result, drivers using the Uber app are penalized and risk confiscating their vehicles, triggering their fears and concerns.

* During the suspension, hundreds of Uber drivers drove their cars in a procession through central Brussels to the office of the regional premier, who met a delegation, Reuters reports.

* Price Action: UBER shares traded lower by 0.53% at $44.29 on the last check Thursday.