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Taxi Strike Across France Over Controversial Uber Service
This Thursday could see major disruption as taxi drivers threaten to block train stations & airports in Nice
The California based ride-sharing service that has been operating in French cities, despite it being illegal, has got taxi drivers up in arms and ready to take action.
The controversial company uses a smartphone app, Uberpop, to take bookings and has been steadily expanding throughout France over the course of this year. UberPop's 4-euro minimum fare is less than the 6.86 euros that the government set for taxis. And their drivers don't need to pay the same level of taxes as conventional taxi owners. Due to this, Uber drivers can provide a much cheaper alternative to the conventional taxi.
As you can imagine this has taxi drivers on the defensive as they fight to retain their customer base and protect their livelihood.
This Thursday taxi drivers across the country have called for an unlimited strike, in front of airports and major rail stations, causing major disruption to these transport hubs. In addition, the taxi industry says it will turn off metres from Monday and offer packages to their customers instead: for example on the Cote d'Azur, Nice 25€, Antibes 50€, Cannes 70€ and Monaco 80€.
The situation is undoubtedly going to get worse before it gets better, with violence already playing a part in this terrible war. Despite the Uberpop app being illegal it looks like the government is slow to react and stamp out the activity. The French government last year sided with the taxi industry, introducing a ban on non-professional taxi services. However, Uber continues to operate pending an appeal with the European Commission, which is due to deliver its finding in September.
