Tuesday January 22nd The Costa Rican Government presented a law project to Congress that would legalize Uber and similar platforms allowing them to coexist with regular cab services.

According to the Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Rodolfo Méndez Mata, Costa Rica must accept the reality of the new technologies and economic models that are already regulated in other parts of the world.

The project proposes that the different platforms must register with the Council of Public Transportation declaring them as Transportation Platform Companies (EPT in Spanish), they will be subject to the payment of VAT (Value Added Taxes) equivalent to 13%, and Uber, as well as any other platform that began operating in the country prior to the establishment of this new law, must pay a registration amount (and fine) of approximately $13,875,774.00.

The document also considers the creation of a National Mobility Fund that will be used to maintain the taxi fleet modern. This fund would be financed with a 3% of the amount paid over the final amount of trips done by the ETP.

Drivers of ETP’s must be registered under the Social Security Service (CCSS).

“As a Government we have the responsibility to work to ensure the well-being of all people. We are giving a step on that route today, presenting a law project that regulates the digital transportation platforms such as Uber”, commented President Alvarado through social media (he is currently out of the country).

The bill must now be revised by a commission in the Legislative Assembly.

Uber has stated in the past its disposition to pay taxes to operate legally.