Uber is now available in Belgium's main coastal cities, a spokesperson for the ride-sharing app has confirmed.
Earlier this week, Laurent Slits, Managing Director of Uber Belgium announced that the app is now available to use in Ostend, Blankenberge and Knokke, as well as Bredene, De Haan, Duinbergen, Heist-Aan-Zee, Het Zoute, Lombardsijde, Mariakerke, Middelkerke, Wenduine, and Zeebrugge.
"This is great news for Belgians who travel to the coast," Slits told Het Nieuwsblad. He said Uber was “offering accessible transport solutions throughout the country” and is “helping ease traffic congestion during tourist periods”.
Congestion is a major concern in Belgian coastal towns during the spring and summer. As many as 40,000 cars were driven to Knokke on 1 May, causing serious overcrowding and congestion.
Just this weekend, the authorities in Knokke implemented a heat mobility plan in anticipation of high temperatures drawing large numbers of visitors to the seaside. On Thursday and Friday, part of Knokke town centre was closed to cars.
Uber has been active in Flanders since 2020 but has not been extended to coastal cities until now.
The ride-sharing app has courted controversy in Belgium in recent years.
In February 2024, Belgian courts ruled that Uber had operated illegally in the Brussels-Capital Region between 3 September 2015 and 10 December 2021.
Many drivers have criticised Uber’s recent increase in commission from 25% to 35%. In September, dozens of Uber drivers gathered outside the company’s headquarters in Etterbeek to protest working conditions.
