Why Dortmund's taxi industry is taking to the streets now

Dortmund taxi companies want to draw attention to their demand for minimum fare charges for rental cars with a demonstration next Monday. According to the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars, the action targets the competitive distortions that, from the industry's perspective, are created by platform providers such as Uber. At the same time, the companies demand the implementation of the recommendations of a traffic study commissioned by the City of Dortmund.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. behind Dortmund Central Station. Afterwards, the participating vehicles will, according to the organizers, drive one and a half laps along the Wallanlagen around the city center. The final rally is planned on Friedensplatz. The event is scheduled to end at 11:00 a.m.

Expert report as the basis for the demands

At the center of the protest action is an expert report commissioned by the city of Dortmund on the traffic situation and the effects of rental car traffic. According to the Federal Association, the study concludes that minimum transport charges for rental cars are the appropriate measure to preserve the local taxi trade, prevent ruinous price competition, and secure mobility provision in the long term.

The association notes that the city has a solid basis for decision-making with the report. Now, from the industry's perspective, the implementation of the recommended measures must follow.

Industry warns of consequences for mobility provision

Representatives of Dortmund's taxi trade see taxis as an important component of mobility provision. According to their statements, taxi companies would also offer transport services at times and in areas where other providers have no economic interest. A further decline of the trade could therefore affect the availability of mobility options.

Reference to the Essen example

As an example for the introduction of minimum transport charges, the association cites the city of Essen. There, corresponding regulations were introduced on the basis of an expert report to adjust the competitive conditions between taxi and rental car traffic.