How will Uber work in Colombia now that it has returned? We explain your new model

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Uber returns to Colombia, reinvented 0:35

(CNN Spanish) - Uber stopped operating in Colombia on February 1, after the country's Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) ordered it to cease the provision of transportation service on December 20, 2019.

Less than a month since the “goodbye” that the company gave its users, the app works again in Colombia with what it says is a new temporary model protected by Colombian legislation. How will it work now? We tell you

• MIRA: Uber announces that it will operate again in Colombia

'Rent a vehicle with driver'

As the company explains in its official blog, the app is a "point of contact between two parties." In this way, every time the user wants to make a trip or journey they must accept a contract from the application. This process will take "an additional single click," according to Uber.

How long is the contract?

What the journey lasts. In the same blog Uber explains that all contracts are terminated when the chosen route ends, and another contract is generated when another service or trip is requested.

In an email sent to its users, the company informs that each contract has insurance that covers “civil liability” and “personal accidents”.

Uber stopped operating in Colombia on February 1, 2020. He returned on the 20th of that same month. Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP via Getty Images

Diversify the services

Within what Uber calls "types of cars with driver", the company announced in a statement the 5 options that the user can access, available already in the application:

Economy: a cheaper option with cars of "less recent models".

UberYa : “In order to move around the city in an agile way,” says Uber, but without giving more details.

Comfort: The premium alternative with modern vehicles.

By Hours: To rent and pay by the hour

UberXL: Vehicles with space for luggage or several people.

This service update includes the possibility of customizing some aspects, such as the route you want to follow or the music you want to hear along the way.

The payment method does not change

Although each service handles a different rate, the payment method does not change compared to what was offered before. Uber allows the usual, payments with cash, credit or debit cards.

Although Uber states that its new business model "is temporary", it does not indicate anything of how long it would be executed or if it will implement another model from a specific date.

A new path together. Learn more at https://t.co/0ZeiAOV8Kt 🚙🇨🇴 # UberSeReinventaPorColombia pic.twitter.com/RrkBQ7Tqcq

- Uber Colombia (@Uber_Col) February 20, 2020

In December 2019, the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce of Colombia (SIC) ordered the cessation of the provision of transportation service to Uber after a judge settled lawsuit for unfair competition against Uber Colombia SAS filed by COTHECH SA, a company that provides taxi service.

Upon his return to Colombia after the ruling, the company told CNN that “Uber respects Colombian laws and the SIC ruling forced the cessation of operations with the previous model, which is exactly the model that Uber uses to mediate its services in several countries around the world. "

So far, the Government of Colombia has not pronounced the announcement of Uber.

The company told CNN that “Uber wants to maintain an open dialogue with the Colombian government, Congress and local authorities in order to share all their global experience to build a modern and complete legal framework for all collaborative mobility platforms” .

- With information from Carolina Melo of CNN in Spanish.

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