BVTM: Essen, as the first city with more than 500,000 residents, is sending a powerful signal for fair competition

The Federal Association of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (BVTM) welcomes the decision of the Essen City Council to introduce binding minimum prices for private hire vehicle journeys from January 1, 2026. This will make Essen the first city with more than 500,000 residents to make use of this new legal option to create fair market conditions in the mobility sector.

German Taxi Association welcomes the introduction of minimum prices for private hire vehicles in Essen. | Photo: BVTM
German Taxi Association welcomes the introduction of minimum prices for private hire vehicles in Essen. | Photo: BVTM

"Essen shows what municipal responsibility for a functioning and fair passenger transport system looks like. Introducing minimum prices for private hire vehicles is an important step against cut-throat competition and for safeguarding quality and consumer protection," says Michael Oppermann, managing director of the Federal Association of Taxi and Private Hire.

The federal association expects this instrument to gradually gain traction in more and more cities. Minimum fares allow municipalities to curb the massive price pressure in the mobility services sector and to establish a minimum level of fare equity between taxi and private-hire offerings.

"We call on cities in Germany to act swiftly now, to take their cue from the positive examples set by Heidelberg and now also Essen—and not to waste any time," Oppermann continued.

According to BVTM, special thanks and congratulations go to the Essen taxi dispatch center, which is an active member of the Federal Taxi Association and has helped bring about this success with great commitment and perseverance.

Content automatically translated.
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