Germany's Taxi and Rental Car Association relocates its Berlin headquarters to the Taxi Guild.

With the move, the TMV, according to its own statements, aims to interlock its advocacy with the capital's politics more closely. In a sector that has been under economic pressure for years and at the same time is undergoing profound changes, geographical proximity suddenly takes on strategic significance. Platform providers, new mobility services, discussions about the minimum wage, return-to-base obligation and digitization no longer concern only local entrepreneurs, but increasingly also federal policy and authorities.

“Bundling of forces”

TMV President Thomas Kroker therefore speaks of a “long overdue step.” The association concentrates its forces where political decisions are prepared: in Berlin. That the TMV is now working directly alongside the Berlin taxi union is an expression of this objective.

On the Berlin side as well, the move is understood as a signal. Leszek Nadolski regards the decision as a vote of confidence and as a basis for even closer cooperation. In fact, the new constellation is likely to facilitate direct exchange. Many conflicts in the industry become evident in the capital particularly early and particularly clearly — for example in dealing with platform intermediaries, in inspections of hire-car traffic, or in the question of how regulation can be enforced in the future.

The new location thus stands as a symbol for a development that has been observable for some time: Trade associations are trying to become more politically visible and to move operationally closer to decision-making processes. The taxi industry has long since ceased to act solely as a local transport service provider. It increasingly sees itself as part of a broader debate about urban mobility, working conditions and fair competition.