Finance, insurance and procurement

The requirements for documentation and billing in the patient-transport business are increasing. With a new cooperation partner, the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars aims to relieve its members of administrative burdens.

The partnership aims to simplify access to digital payment methods for taxi and rental-car operators. In addition to a smartphone app, the payment service provider offers a separate device and time-limited special terms.

The Mobility Association welcomes the planned relief on gasoline and diesel in principle. For taxi, non-emergency medical transport, and bus companies, however, it only compensates a small portion of the rising fuel costs.

Taxi-, rental-car-, patient-transport- and emergency medical service providers could hardly pass on higher costs in the short term. The industry association VSPV therefore demands an automatic relief mechanism.

(dpa) Already by the morning after the end of the tax relief, fuel prices are noticeably above the previous day's level. Further price movements throughout the day are possible.

(dpa) With the expiry of the temporary tax cut on fuels, consumer centers expect rising prices. They demand tight oversight by the Federal Cartel Office and further relief in energy costs.

A joint initiative by VSPV and the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce aims to close tax and control gaps. In doing so, a model from the Netherlands also comes into focus.

While trains were temporarily not running due to a disrupted radio link, taxis took over the onward transport of many passengers. Via TaBeA (Taxi Ordering and Billing System), according to Robert Abel, managing director of fms/Austrosoft, almost €650,000 in taxi revenue was processed.

Experts from opta data informed taxi and rental car companies about common mistakes in ordering, documentation and billing of patient transports. There was strong interest from the industry.

At the annual meeting of Motor Vehicle Insurance (VdK), SIGNAL IDUNA's risk carrier for the commercial sector, Gregor Beiner described the situation as a double challenge: technological upheaval on the one hand, intensified competition on the other.

Despite the tax cut on fuels, industry representatives see unresolved structural problems and demand lasting reforms in energy and levies.

The city council has approved an adjustment to the base fare, surcharges, and per-kilometre rates. From May 2026, prices will rise, and a further increase will follow in January 2027. In the future, taxis will also be required to enable cashless payments.

Global crises often seem abstract - for many industries they remain distant news from the international business pages. For the taxi and rental car industry in Bavaria, however, geopolitical tensions can now be clearly read at the pump. A liter of diesel costs well over two euros in many places. For companies whose business model is based on a high mileage, this noticeably changes their cost calculations.

The latest escalation in the Middle East has set energy markets worldwide in motion. Diesel prices in Germany have risen noticeably – significantly stronger than in neighboring countries. Within a few days, the price per liter of diesel here rose by up to 30 euro cents, an increase of around 15 percent. Across Europe, the rise was comparatively modest at three to five percent.

What is changing now with Bahntaxi: digital vouchers, simplified billing, and improved terms for taxi companies in rural regions.

(dpa) Wintry road conditions lead to accidents more frequently. Recommendations from automobile and insurance associations show which steps are crucial immediately after the accident.

Farewell to paper clutter. The mobility provider Freenow has announced an integration with SAP Concur Expense, a software for travel expense management. Going forward, receipts for taxi rides will be automatically and digitally transmitted to the billing system – completely without paper and post-processing.

(dpa / kk) For many taxi operators, the economic viability of their fleets plays a decisive role – especially when transitioning to electric mobility. Now there is tailwind from Berlin: The federal government intends to extend the vehicle tax exemption for electric vehicles until 2035. That is also an important signal for the taxi industry. Because those who opt for an electric taxi in the coming years can continue to benefit from a substantial tax relief.

Less paperwork, less effort: A new billing service is set to reduce administrative work for taxi and rental car companies in Bavaria – including health insurance communication and support.

High costs, declining revenues, and the transition to electric vehicles are weighing on the industry. The new special depreciation could facilitate investments and improve liquidity, especially in fleet renewal.

The new partnership between the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) and Ballnath Assekuranz ensures special conditions for members on liability and comprehensive insurance.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is, on behalf of the entire industry, a partner of Deutsche Bahn AG. Among other things, in employee mobility and disruption management, Deutsche Bahn has been relying on the flexible solutions of the taxi industry since 2006.