Judge issues restraining order that allows Uber in Rio

Taxi drivers protest against the ride-booking company Uber outside the City Hall in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. Sao Paulo will introduce new regulations to govern Uber instead of banning it. AP

RIO DE JANEIRO — A Brazilian judge has issued a temporary restraining order against recently approved legislation that banned the use of smartphone-based ride-hailing-apps like Uber in Rio de Janeiro, the country’s second largest city.

A statement posted on the Rio de Janeiro State Judiciary Department’s website said the order was signed Thursday by Judge Monica Ribeiro Teixeira.

The restraining order came 10 days after Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes signed legislation passed by the city council banning Uber and similar technologies from operating in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The statement quoted the judge as saying Uber-like services can provide residents “better, safer and speedier transpiration services at lower prices.”

Brazil’s biggest city, Sao Paulo, decided against trying to ban Uber and plans to introduce new regulations for such apps. Taxi drivers protested that decision on Thursday by blocking traffic.

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