Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Brussels taxi drivers protest against Uber after a court ruling bans the app, affecting 2,000 drivers. The Brussels government supports traditional taxis amid legal battles with Uber and Taxis Verts.
On the 14th of November at 9 am, taxi drivers gathered at the Uber offices in Etterbeek. They will then drive to Place Polaert and walk to the ABVV headquarters, arriving at the Brussels Parliament by 1 pm. Later, between 2 pm and 3 pm, they will return to Place Polaert to get their taxis. These drivers often lease or buy expensive cars to work for Uber or Bolt, hoping to earn a good income. However, many feel misled by big American companies, as they struggle to cover their costs instead of making a profit.
How are Brussels taxi drivers responding to Uber’s impact on their earnings?
Brussels has issued nearly 3,000 taxi permits and over 7,000 driver passes, allowing taxi ranks to operate as street taxis. This has led to many drivers and not enough customers. Street taxis make less money, charging between 1.5 to 3 euros per kilometer, while traditional taxis charge 2.30 euros. Companies like Uber often pay the lowest rates and take a cut from that. Today, street taxi drivers are protesting against Uber and the Brussels government, feeling frustrated and wanting to pay less in fees.
Drivers are going to ABVV today because the Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers (ABCL) is supporting Uber. The socialist union is surprised and claims to support the drivers. The ABCL wants one type of permit for both street and rank taxis. Rank taxis can work as street taxis, but street taxis can’t do the same. They also want better protection, like higher fares and lower fees, but it’s unlikely the government can help. Hajo says it’s sad for drivers who invested a lot and are now in financial trouble.
