VSPV presents reform proposals for taxis, rental cars and platforms.

The Association of Independent Passenger Transport has presented its positions on the planned evaluation and revision of the Passenger Transport Act at the Federal Ministry of Transport. Managing Director Sascha Waltemate and General Authorized Signatory Patrick Meinhardt handed the collected position papers to State Secretary Stefan Schnorr, according to the association, and explained the proposals for a future regulation of on-demand transport.

Function over operating form

At the center of the talks, according to the association, was the demand to distinguish taxi and hire-car traffic in the future according to their respective function in the mobility system. The VSPV contends that the current delineation based on the different operating forms no longer adequately reflects today’s market conditions with digitally mediated mobility offerings.

Transportation services that are permanently available, tariff-calculable and accessible without discrimination should, in the association's view, be treated as part of public mobility. From this, the further regulation of on-demand transportation follows. In addition, the association advocates integrating taxis in the future into Mobility-as-a-Service offerings through public-law mediation systems.

Additional demands for the PBefG amendment

For the upcoming legislative amendment, the association also calls for an effectively designed accountability of mediation platforms. Where platforms actually controlled transportation services, they should also bear the administrative responsibility.

Furthermore, the association advocates extending the Verkehrsunternehmerdatei to on-demand traffic under Sections 47 and 49 of the Passenger Transportation Act. This should make multiple concessions, corporate intertwinings, and evasions of sanctions more traceable. In addition, the association calls for the actual introduction of software-based fare indicators and distance meters.

Digitisation and augmentation of public transport

According to the association, the VSPV Standard 101 together with participation in the DELFI project's ODIN MP demonstrates the possibilities of digitally integrating taxi traffic. The project's aim is to make taxi rides nationwide bookable via public-transport apps of the public transport system.

In discussions with the State Secretary, the ÖPNV taxi was also discussed as a complement to the traditional line service. The association sees this especially as a way to economically supplement existing offerings in off-peak times and rural regions.