Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): V-tax Ghent’s oldest taxi company is struggling financially due to the pandemic’s impact competition from ride-sharing services and strict regulations. Despite these challenges its dedicated workforce remains hopeful for a revival.
V-tax is a well-known taxi company in Ghent recognized as the oldest and largest in the city. It started after World War II and its name comes from “Volkswagen” showing its early connection to the famous car brand. Over the years V-tax went through many important changes. It grew and became the top taxi service in Ghent through various takeovers and mergers. However even with its success the company had financial problems that eventually caused it to go bankrupt at one point. In 2006 V-tax bounced back and started again after going bankrupt. This fresh start helped the company keep serving Ghent and maintain its reputation as a reliable and popular taxi service.
What factors are leading to the potential bankruptcy of V-tax, Ghent’s oldest and largest taxi company?
The upcoming bankruptcy of V-tax as explained by Joeri Crispyn from the liberal trade union ACLVB is due to several important reasons. Firstly the company struggled to recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which greatly impacted the transportation industry including V-tax. During this time many skilled workers left the company and a lot of them didn’t return after the crisis. It has been said that this loss of experienced staff made it harder for V-tax to maintain good service and operate efficiently, further weakening the company.
V-tax is also facing tough competition in the taxi industry especially from ride-sharing services like Uber. These companies have changed how people get around in cities by offering cheaper and more convenient options making it hard for V-tax to keep its customers and make money. Another issue is the strict rules in Ghent that control how taxi services operate. While these rules are meant to keep standards high and ensure passenger safety they also create extra costs and challenges for companies like V-tax. Together these problems along with the effects of the pandemic have led V-tax to struggle financially and come close to bankruptcy.
V-tax currently has about 100 permanent employees who are still hopeful about the chance for a fresh start even though the company is facing financial problems. Joeri Crispyn a representative from the liberal trade union ACLVB highlights the determination and strength of the workers. He mentions that the staff is working hard and showing their dedication to the company ready to fight for its survival. Crispyn mentions that V-tax is a well-known and respected taxi service in Ghent recognized as the leading provider in the city. Despite facing financial challenges and competition the company has consistently maintained its top position and has never lacked work indicating a steady demand for its services. He also emphasizes the strength of V-tax’s workforce highlighting that the dedicated and skilled employees are committed to their jobs and the company’s success. This loyal team is seen as a vital asset for the potential revival of V-tax as they continue to uphold the company’s reputation and service quality even during uncertain times.
