Taxis to Go on Strike: Action Scheduled for Monday in France (Revised)
French Taxi Drivers Maintain Pressure Despite Government Meeting Over Pricing Reform
Amidst a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister François Bayrou and the announcement of a review of the patient transport pricing reform project, taxi drivers in several French cities plan to continue their protests on May 26.
In a move that did not sit well with the taxi drivers, government spokesperson Sophie Primas hinted on Friday that the government would not be backing down from the reform of the pricing of patient transport by taxis, which is due to take effect on October 1. However, representatives of the sector were expected to meet with François Bayrou on Saturday, with the Prime Minister announcing clear measures to "rework the details" of the convention "from Tuesday" and especially "the detail of the decisions, measures, and orientations that need to be taken."
Despite this, disruptions are still expected on Monday. Taxi drivers are determined to keep the pressure up until the reform is reviewed, according to TF1. Drivers have been asked to congregate at Parisian airports as early as 6 am on Monday, potentially causing access difficulties. Similar disruptions are expected in the Bouches-du-Rhône, with issues anticipated from 7:30 am around the Saint-Charles station and Marseille-Provence airport, as well as on the Prado avenue and Castellane square.
The question remains whether Roland-Garros will be impacted. Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation, suggested on RMC that the movement is likely to continue. Citing historical betrayals by previous governments, taxi drivers are skeptical about trusting the current administration with their livelihoods.
The root of the unrest is the new government rules, which aim to harmonize prices nationwide for the transportation of patients. Taxi drivers fear these reforms will drastically reduce their income from medical transport, a significant portion of their business. The protests have taken a violent turn in some instances, with clashes between drivers and police resulting in the use of tear gas and large-scale disruptions that have stranded travelers.
The situation reached a critical point on May 24, with a high-level meeting at the French Ministry of Transport attended by Prime Minister François Bayrou, indicating the government's recognition of the gravity of the situation. The Prime Minister has indicated a reconsideration of the reform in light of the standoff.
As the protests extend into their second week, it remains to be seen whether the government's gestures will be enough to ease tensions and bring the situation back under control.
Despite the announced meeting between Prime Minister François Bayrou and the industry representatives, taxi drivers intend to maintain their pressure on the government concerning the finance-related reform of patient transportation. On Monday, they plan to congregate at Parisian airports and in the Bouches-du-Rhône, potentially causing access difficulties, as they continue to express their concerns about the impact of the reform on their industry's label and their livelihoods.
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