Cab topics (general)

(dpa) The number of applications for new rental cars is skyrocketing – in one case, as many as 300 vehicles. Districts in Brandenburg are facing massive capacity problems and fear an expansion of illegal business practices.

Patrick Meinhardt, chief executive officer of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (TMV), met with Steffen Bilger, the First Parliamentary Secretary of the Union faction. A conversation between old colleagues—and experts in transport policy issues.

On Tuesday, July 2, 2025, the taxi industry intends to make a clear statement – with nationwide protest actions under the motto "National Taxi Action Day." The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is now providing a website where materials for the demonstrations can be downloaded.

Anyone traveling to the Amalfi Coast in the summer needs one thing above all: patience. The world-famous coastal road, winding in tight serpentine curves between Positano and Vietri sul Mare, is picturesque – and overloaded. Year after year, rental cars, buses, and scooters create traffic jams there, while the air shimmers and the horn becomes the soundtrack of the vacation.

The taxi is not just a means of transportation, but increasingly part of a bigger idea: mobility for all – regardless of place of residence or physical conditions. This was the focus of the recent exchange between the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) and SPD Member of Parliament Martin Kröber.

Munich shines in all the colors of the rainbow when the Pride Weeks take place in the city from June 14 to 29, 2025, with more than 100 events. The highlight is traditionally the Christopher Street Day (CSD) on June 28, when the large political parade moves through the city center and thousands of people demonstrate for queer rights and social diversity. 

From the outside, it appeared to be just an ordinary trip to the car wash. However, what started as a routine car care ended up with a car wash customer in Munich facing a court case. After the washing process, the right side mirror of her vehicle was torn off – and the question of who was responsible for the damage was taken up by the Munich District Court.

With the introduction of "Uber Health" in Germany, the US platform company Uber has targeted a new business field – and it is precisely the one that is vital for many taxi companies: medical transportation.

Michael Donth takes on key roles in three Bundestag committees – making him an even more important figure for the taxi and tourism industry. The TMV congratulates him and wants to further intensify contact.

Electric station wagons are still a niche. However, with the new Toyota bZ4X Touring, the Japanese manufacturer is now launching a variant that could be particularly interesting for the taxi market: ample space, practical range, and a versatile drive concept. In Brussels, Toyota provided an initial preview of the model, which could also electrify everyday work starting in 2026.

The intersection between tourism and mobility is significant—and is increasingly coming into the focus of politics. At a meeting in Berlin, Anja Karliczek (CDU), the new chairwoman of the Bundestag's Tourism Committee, and Patrick Meinhardt, chief executive officer of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), have agreed on closer cooperation.

A subordinate clause with afterburner effect: After the Formula 1 race in Barcelona, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff commented on the driving behavior of Max Verstappen – and compared the Red Bull driver to “an angry taxi driver in Rome.” The statement was likely intended to be pointed. What followed was a verbal rear-end collision – this time far from the racetrack.

(dpa) With over 1,500 robotaxis, the Google sister company reaches over 250,000 rides with passengers per week. By the end of next year, more than 2,000 additional autonomous vehicles are expected to be added.

Intax GmbH, based in Oldenburg, has been working on customized solutions for the taxi industry for almost three decades. Now, the converter is warning about a fake offer email being sent out in the company's name.

Surprising findings from a study in the United States: Taxi drivers have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's compared to the general population. What could be the reason for this?

The concern is not new, but it is becoming more urgent: In Brandenburg, the registrations for rental cars are increasing rapidly – and with them the fears of uncontrolled growth in the taxi-like business.

Sometimes jurisprudence is cumbersome – yet consequential. The Federal Social Court (BSG) dealt with a rather everyday occurrence in a ruling on February 20, 2025, which mainly affects taxi and rental car businesses: Who bears the costs when a patient undertakes a medical transport without prior approval from the health insurance company?

Changes are part of parliamentary routine, especially when responsibilities are redistributed within factions. Yet sometimes a departure from a specialist field is more than just a personnel matter. For the taxi and rental car industry, Martin Kröber's (SPD) departure from responsibility for the Passenger Transportation Act (PBefG) in the Bundestag signifies a disruption – albeit not a permanent one.

In Thuringia, the state association of the transport industry is setting new impulses for more taxis in public transport. The Association of Central German Bus Companies views the taxi industry's proposals with skepticism.

Anyone in the region between Karlsruhe, Rastatt, and Baden-Baden who needs a taxi will no longer require an app or a hotline for that. A simple WhatsApp text is sufficient. Holl AG is expanding its offering and now provides its passengers the ability to book taxis directly through the messaging service. This is made possible by a digital chatbot developed by the provider taxibooker.com.

Those who take a taxi in Munich usually know beforehand that it won't be a bargain. However, a study by the travel provider "Fit Reisen" has now backed up the gut feeling of many passengers with figures. According to this, taking a taxi in the Bavarian capital is the most expensive nationwide. A ten-kilometer ride in Munich costs 32.90 euros — that's more than three euros above the national average (29.89 euros) and even more than in Berlin or Frankfurt.

The digitalization of operational audits is advancing – and with it, the importance of technical security devices (TSE) in the taxi industry is growing. The Cash Security Regulation (KassenSichV), actually an instrument for combating tax evasion, meanwhile threatens to become a new point of contention between financial policy and the taxi trade.

In April 2025, the new registrations of the former electric pioneer in the EU dropped by more than half. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), only 5,475 vehicles of the US manufacturer were registered – a decline of 52.6 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. The overall picture for the first four months also remains bleak: a decrease of 46.1 percent compared to 2024.

In mid-May, around 900 staff members of the Customs' Financial Control of Illegal Employment department were deployed nationwide to take a closer look at the taxi and rental car industry. Almost 1,600 drivers were interviewed and 260 business documents were examined, with some sobering results.

District Court declares the removal of Patrick Nothhaft null and void – Dispute over Uber cooperation divides cooperative

(dpa) Until now, the US service provider Uber has been arranging rental car rides and food deliveries in Germany. The US company is now expanding its offerings in nine German cities.

The city of Frankfurt intends to take more consistent action against illegal ride service providers starting in June. In the future, only vehicles with a valid concession for passenger transport will be allowed on the road. A corresponding regulation was announced by regulatory office head Holger Habich. The basis for this is a cooperation with the operators of online mediation platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and also Freenow.

(dpa/lhe) Autonomous driving via app – the pilot project "Kira" is introducing self-driving cars into regular service for the first time. Southern Hesse is testing what could soon become everyday life everywhere.

Hamburg-Langenhorn, a Tuesday morning in May. Amidst new car paint and charging stations, between political programs and substantial discounts, the who's who of the northern German taxi industry gathers.

Taxi drivers demand minimum prices for ride services – and accuse cities of inaction. Only two municipalities have taken action so far, even though the law has long given them the opportunity.

The Federal Association of Taxis and Rental Cars (BVTM) addresses the new Federal Minister of Economics with a clear concern. In a factually worded letter, the BVTM congratulates Katherina Reiche on her new role – and takes the moment to point out a regulation that is difficult for the industry to understand: the annual calibration requirement for taximeters.

An afternoon at the Löwenbräukeller, as symbolic as it could hardly be: After hours of sometimes heated debate, a vote was taken – and in the end, there were two sides with a result that brings no real decision.

A meeting with symbolic significance: On the day of Friedrich Merz's government declaration, representatives of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) discussed future topics of the industry with CDU transport politician Michael Donth.

Dispute over direction in the Taxi Munich eG: Who is at the wheel of the cooperative? A conflict between the board and the supervisory board is intensifying – at the center are Uber, integrity, and the future of Munich's taxi industry.

Recently, there was a small but somewhat unusual honor at the federal office of the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV). Reiner Holznagel, President of the Taxpayers' Association, may henceforth call himself a "Taxi Ambassador" – a title the association awards to personalities who are particularly committed to the taxi industry and fair transport policy.

The taxi industry is simmering like never before: In cities, the industry is threatened by illegal rental cars and is fighting back, while in rural areas, the introduction of public transport taxis is progressing slowly. Taxis are in the media spotlight.

In Hamburg, the transition in transportation continues to quietly progress through the city—at least according to the politicians and participants of the Future Taxi project. Since the beginning of this year, only locally emission-free taxis are permitted to be newly registered in the Hanseatic city—energy supplier Vattenfall is now becoming the largest partner for the taxi fast-charging infrastructure in Hamburg.

It was not a formal round of negotiations, but an exchange with a handshake quality. When Thomas Kroker, President of the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), and its Chief Executive Officer Patrick Meinhardt were received at the federal headquarters of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DeHoGa), the entry was immediately personal. "For me, there is only the taxi," explained DeHoGa head Ingrid Hartges, "other offers are not an option for me at all."

After Friedrich Merz was elected Federal Chancellor in the second ballot, the new cabinet took shape. With the swearing-in of the ministers, the positions of state secretaries also came into focus. One of these goes to Christian Hirte - TMV met the CDU politician for a conversation.

There are many ways to remember a bachelor party. The taxi ride back from Munich to Lichtenfels is probably not one of the cheapest—and certainly not one of the soberest.

It was not merely a celebration of existence, but also a warning to politics: At their 35th annual general meeting in Erfurt, the Thuringian transport and logistics industry made their voices heard clearly.

A statement that sticks: “We are pleased that the Saul is becoming Paul again.” With this biblical phrase, the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV) welcomes the change of course by Mercedes-Benz – a company that was once considered a reliable partner in the taxi industry and then abruptly distanced itself.

In the conference room of the Marriott Hotel in Darmstadt, it is quiet as Herwig Kollar takes the microphone. The president of the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) looks into expectant faces. It is the afternoon of May 6th – the public part of the association meeting has begun. Kollar presents a program that outlines the central challenges facing the industry: federal politics, medical transport, platforms, Europe.

A new association aims to bring momentum to the digitization of the healthcare industry. The opta data group has been involved from the start – with a lot of experience and clear goals.

(dpa/lnw) They operate at a lower cost, often coming from other cities and without tariff commitments: rental car platforms pose significant challenges to the taxi industry. In Essen, resistance is growing – with clear demands.

When lobby groups come together, it is nothing unusual. However, when representatives of such diverse sectors as taxi drivers, retailers, hairdressers, and farmers appear with almost identical arguments, it is worth taking a closer look.

The tone is friendly, the message clear: With a letter to Gitta Connemann, CDU member of the Bundestag and future Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics, the Taxi and Rental Car Association Germany (TMV) speaks up early. The association congratulates on the new role – and combines the congratulations with clear expectations.

While in Berlin the political stage is being set for the election of the new Federal Chancellor, the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BVTM) meets on May 6 in Darmstadt for the general meeting. A symbolic moment that draws attention to the future of the taxi industry.

With the acquisition of Freenow by the American ride-sharing service Lyft for around 175 million euros, the European taxi industry is facing a significant upheaval. Freenow now cooperates with numerous taxi centers in Germany. At the beginning of the collaboration with the Hamburg taxi centers Funktaxi Bergedorf and Taxi Alstertal, we were at the German Freenow headquarters in Hamburg.

Taxi rides at a pre-determined price: This will be possible in two more German cities starting in May. The integration into the Freenow app creates more transparency in trip cost planning – for business travelers, commuters, and tourists alike.

"Minimum wage now" with this demand, accompanied by loud protests, over 500 taxi drivers demonstrated in front of the Munich town hall yesterday, Monday, against the price and social dumping by Uber and Bolt in the Bavarian capital.

A new Minister of Transport takes office – and old topics are back on the table. Patrick Schnieder, CDU politician from Rhineland-Palatinate, will take over the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Taxi and Rental Car Association of Germany (TMV) has taken the opportunity to convey the industry's wishes and expectations to the future minister at an early stage.

Originally, the Munich city council was supposed to decide on the introduction of minimum transportation fares for rental cars in April. However, the item was removed from the agenda at short notice. There are said to be too many open questions. The decision has now been postponed – to the next meeting in about four weeks.

The car drives up, the door opens – no one is sitting at the wheel. What sounded like science fiction years ago is now rolling onto the asphalt in some US cities. And Volkswagen wants to join in: By the end of this year, the test phase for the ID.Buzz AD, an autonomous version of the well-known electric minibus, is set to begin in Los Angeles. No less a partner on this journey than Uber.

Electric cars are considered quiet, locally emission-free – and for some still a risky compromise in everyday life. For the taxi industry, which often balances between efficiency and reliability, the electric vehicle long seemed a gamble. But a look at Hamburg shows: Times have changed.

The Labo (State Office for Citizens' and Regulatory Affairs) is checking the taxi fleets on mediation platforms and taking decisive action against the "black sheep." However, Uber & Co. have, of course, already found a loophole.

Around 80 taxis participated in an impressive procession through downtown Mainz yesterday. The aim of the demonstration was to draw attention to the increasingly existentially threatening impacts of unfair business practices by platform providers like Uber – and at the same time to engage in dialogue with representatives from politics, administration, and the public.

An alliance of platform operators, ride service brokers, and lobby groups is currently loudly warning against minimum prices for rental car trips in Munich. Because when - as in the petition of the association wirfahren - there is talk of "price madness", one should take a closer look at who is actually speaking - and in whose interest.

With the new Ford Custom and the innovative Long Cut rear cutout, AMF-Bruns once again sets standards in the field of barrier-free vehicle solutions. The specially developed conversion enables flexible and comfortable transportation of up to two wheelchair users.

Those who find themselves stranded at the station late at night and rely on the app from Uber or Bolt often encounter disappointment. Supposedly available rides turn out to be a mirage – the algorithm searches in vain for a driver, and the order gets canceled. Such experiences are becoming more frequent, as user reports show.