Taxi Street Protest: Essen Drivers Call for Competition Regulations Against Uber and Bolt
Taxi Drivers in Essen Push for Mandatory Minimum Fares to Combat Competition - Taxi drivers in Essen advocate for enforced minimum rates amidst stiff competition.
Get your horns honking, folks! Essen taxi drivers took action, rallying in the city center with a noisy convoy and a long queue of cars, demanding regulations for their ride-hailing competitors like Uber and Bolt. Their battle cry? "Stop Social Dumping - Minimum Prices Now!" Approximately 140 protesters participated, with around 110 taxis joining the fray, according to police. A bustling street near the town hall had to momentarily shut down in the morning.
Dirk Schäfer, spokesperson for the Taxi Essen association, voiced their concerns. He argued that the influx of ride-hailing vehicles from companies like Uber or Bolt has skyrocketed in the city, often providing rides that are 30 to 40 percent cheaper than city-approved taxi fares. Schäfer advocated for the establishment of minimum fares for ride-hailing services and a limit on their numbers.
Playing the long game, not the price game
Taxi drivers are local taxpayers and an integral part of public transport, explained Schäfer. As independent entrepreneurs, they comply with numerous regulations, including minimum wage requirements. In contrast, ride-hailing drivers receive fixed prices from international platforms, unregulated prices that can be cheaper but expensive during high-demand periods, such as during trade fairs, according to Schäfer.
Foreign Uber drivers flock to Essen, especially during trade fair seasons, noted Schäfer. The Essen taxi market can't keep up with this cheap competition, he argued. Not all of the 620 possible taxi licenses in the city are being utilized, with only around 420 taxis currently operating in Essen.
Cutting into profits
A 65-year-old driver exemplifies the financial struggles faced by Essen taxi drivers. He confided that his income has plummeted by around 30 percent in the past year or two due to the competition from ride-hailing drivers. Working 10-hour shifts only nets him roughly €120, falling short of minimum wage requirements.
Even the city is teaming up for minimum fares
A city representative confirmed that the city is also advocating for minimum fares for ride-hailing services. To ensure compliance with regulations, a study has been commissioned. Random checks for violations, such as those committed by drivers from outside the city, are conducted, particularly during major events in Essen.
- The taxi drivers' association in Essen, represented by Dirk Schäfer, is advocating for the establishment of minimum fares and a cap on ride-hailing services, citing their impact on traditional taxi services.
- In response to the surge in ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt, Essen taxi drivers argue that these companies undercut their prices by as much as 40%, leading to a significant drop in their profits.
- Essen taxi drivers, who are local business owners and comply with multiple regulations, including minimum wage requirements, face financial struggles due to the increased competition from ride-hailing drivers, who operate under unregulated prices from international platforms.
- The city of Essen is also advocating for minimum fares for ride-hailing services and is conducting random checks to ensure compliance with regulations, particularly during major events.
- The taxi industry in Essen has not been able to keep up with the influx of foreign Uber drivers during trade fair seasons, leading to a strain on the local market and financial hardship for many Essen taxi drivers.
