BCMD Forum: Cooperation with Taxi Association – but with Due Distance

The BCMD was founded as an interest group for limousine and transport services. To achieve a significant size as an interest group, rental cars were also included. Some of the entrepreneurs were formerly active in the taxi business, some run mixed companies and offer their limousines alongside taxi and rental car services – so the connection to the trade in ivory is certainly present. The rental car sector is a broad field. In fact, the concerns of chauffeur entrepreneurs in the association are not always compatible with the wishes of one of its most prominent members, Uber general contractor Thomas Mohnke.

Exciting Panel Discussion with "Taxi Drivers"

Following the lively welcome by association head Tino Müller, the first panel discussion immediately focused on the topic of taxis and rental cars. In addition to Tino Müller, taxi and rental car entrepreneur Dirk Holl and Patrick Meinhardt, chief executive officer of the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), participated in the discussion. The definition of "rental car" forms the starting point for further discussion. On the one hand, the rental car is taxi-like traffic, which sometimes operates in a non-compliant area, but on the other hand, it is also a limousine for wealthier customers. Thus, some members were also struggling with the BCMD board's idea of collaborating with the TMV.

The discussion about the TSE obligation for rental car companies highlighted a problem that mainly affects providers in the premium segment. Chauffeur services with time-based billing are increasingly rarely granted an exemption for the installation of an odometer (WSZ). The problem lies in the legal classification: limousine services are subject to § 49 of the Passenger Transportation Act (PBefG) just like those rental car companies that drive for platforms such as Uber or Bolt – an area where legal regulations are often violated. Recently, authorities have intensified measures to curb these grievances in this area.

This has the consequence that regular car rental companies are also required to install a distance meter with a technical safety device (TSE). This leads to practical difficulties, as installation in many luxury vehicles is not technically intended and also touches on the Calibration Law. Chauffeur and limousine companies are thus put in a predicament: they are hit by the tightened regulation because providers in their segment do not adhere to applicable law.

Suggestion from the audience: § 49a

A possible solution could be a reform of the PBefG. The association should work on proposals for the introduction of a new § 49a, which categorizes chauffeur and limousine services as an independent mode of transport with clearly defined rights and obligations. This idea also found favor with the TMV - Patrick Meinhardt pledged his support.

“Actually, it suits me well when taxi drivers are really bad - then many more customers come to me!” Chauffeur-entrepreneur from Bremen.