Mayor or Uber-Mayor?

Today, on Tuesday, the Munich taxi industry is holding a spontaneous demonstration in front of the town hall. Between 9:15 and 10:15 a.m., the Munich taxi dispatch centers will stop their telephone dispatch service in protest. The demonstration itself takes place in front of Ludwig Beck at Marienplatz. The trigger was the city council's last-minute decision not to introduce municipal minimum fare rates for rental cars.

Political U-turn in the city council

Originally, the district administration committee was supposed to vote on a corresponding proposal on the same day. The final decision by the city council was planned for the following Wednesday. However, the procedure was stopped under pressure from the SPD parliamentary group. Instead of a comprehensive regulation, individual agreements with rental car providers are now planned.

“Without minimum prices for all transport services, the taxi industry has no chance. We will witness a decline in quality and reliability, and the Uber principle of exploitation and social dumping spreading unchecked,” said Gregor Beiner from the Munich Taxi Association.

He added: “Today we must recognize: This is politically intended. This is exactly what Dieter Reiter and his SPD parliamentary group have decided. The mayor proves to be an Uber-mayor!”

Criticism from the Munich Taxi Association

The Munich Taxi Association expressed sharp criticism of the decision. Representatives of the association fear that the absence of minimum prices will disadvantage the taxi industry in competition with platform providers like Uber. The decision allows for unequal competitive conditions, which could negatively impact quality and reliability in the transport service market.