Passenger transportation law (also PBefG)

Minimum transport fares are intended to prevent dumping prices and to create the same framework conditions between taxis and platform-mediated rental cars.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars welcomes today’s vote by the Munich City Council on the introduction of minimum fare charges for rental cars as a landmark decision for fair competition in the passenger transport market.

The Association of Private Commercial Road Passenger Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia (VSPV) continues to seek close cooperation with federal politics. However, the meeting with CDU transport politician Henning Rehbaum was not a first contact, but the continuation of a dialogue that had already begun at the state level.

At its 36th annual general meeting in Weimar-Legefeld, the Thuringia state association of the transport industry (LTV) e.V. unanimously adopted a resolution that takes a harsher tone than in previous years. The industry describes its situation as tense — economically as well as politically — and puts forward clear demands to the federal government and the states.

Hamburg adheres to its strict line on on-demand transport. The city, according to its own statements, does not issue licenses for offerings that, from the administration's point of view, cannot be operated permanently in accordance with the passenger transport law. The justification is pragmatic: Concessions once granted would be difficult to revoke later.

In the tension between social law and passenger transport, the pressure on the taxi and rental-car industry is growing. What at first glance appears to be a pragmatic instrument for cost control, upon closer examination develops into a structural problem: special agreements under § 51 of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG) in the context of the Social Code (SGB).

The state capital plans to introduce minimum transport charges. Industry representatives expect that by 2026 at least ten cities could follow suit.

A ministerial draft from the Federal Ministry of Health is to link patient transports to the base wage rate. The VSPV warns of economic distortions in rural areas and sees legal conflicts with existing law.

"2026 must become the year of public transport and taxis!" As representatives of the Association of Road Passenger Transport (VSPV) exchanged views with the transport policy politician Michael Donth, it was about nothing less than the future architecture of public transport – the role of the taxi in it.

After failed negotiations, as of April 1, numerous businesses have suspended patient transport services. An expert opinion by the VSPV assesses individual contracts with health insurers in the mandatory transport sector as inadmissible and calls for official scrutiny.

The General Authorized Signatory of the Mobility Association VSPV assumes a leadership role in the Association for the Promotion of a Competitive Economy. The Berlin network brings together 25 associations and more than 200 members from politics and the SME sector.

Municipalities want to curb ruinous competition by app-based platforms with minimum transport charges and to stabilize the market order in the passenger transport sector.

Police investigations led to the arrest of a driver who is alleged to have sold cocaine and to have carried out passenger transports without the required equipment. The investigation is ongoing.

Berlin puts the brakes on. Starting today, the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment no longer awards new taxi concessions. The stop lasts for one year, also covers expansion applications from existing operators, and is based on Section 13(4) of the Passenger Transport Act. Anyone who wants to enter the market will first end up on a waiting list.

Whoever these days talks about taxi and rental-car policy quickly ends up at the PBefG. The regulatory framework that is meant to bring order to a market that has long since functioned digitally – and yet is still supervised in many places with analog control mechanisms. Exactly there, a 90-minute conversation began, which the Association of Private Commercial Road Passenger Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia (VSPV) held with the Berlin SPD member of parliament Tino Schopf.

In a position paper on the Ministry of Health's draft bill, the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars identifies specific changes needed in non-emergency medical transport, remuneration and bureaucracy.

A Swiss survey shows: many Uber drivers work excessively long days and want clear rules. The German industry association sees urgent need for action and calls for minimum prices as well as strict oversight of platform providers.

A Cologne taxi company has prevailed in court: Uber's app violates central regulations for rental cars, according to the Regional Court. The company intends to appeal – the decision is not yet legally binding.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) invited guests to its Parliamentary Evening for this year last Wednesday at the VW Drive event venue on Unter den Linden. The occasion for a review of four years of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG) - and a look at the future of the taxi ecosystem.

“Sobering” – that could describe the evening. Three members of parliament from the CDU, SPD and the Greens posed questions to BVTM Managing Director Michael Oppermann and BVTM President Herwig Kollar at the VW Drive in Berlin. A hopeful outlook for the taxi industry did not materialize.

Still, it is purely a formality, but the result is likely to bring noticeable relief to many drivers in Northern Europe: Finland and Norway want to allow cross-border taxi traffic. A corresponding agreement is in place, and the necessary amendment to Finnish law is expected to be approved before Christmas. Why is that possible elsewhere yet?

Who has to pay when a taxi is soiled after a night of partying? A Munich court ruling shows that passengers are not the only ones liable — drivers can also share liability if they breach certain duties.

The Federal Association uses the first meeting with Transport Minister Schnieder to present key industry demands – from flexible mobility in rural areas to more precise regulations for municipalities and driver qualifications.

Leipzig forgoes minimum prices for rental cars – sending a disastrous signal. The decision by the major Saxon city not to set minimum fees for the rental car industry is causing discontent within the sector.

It was supposed to be a milestone – but it has mainly become an omission. Four years after the amendment of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG) came into force, the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) expresses disappointment.

The taxi industry is struggling with the consequences of the reform. The rides arranged by taxi centers have decreased by a quarter over the last two years. It's high time to take stock, according to the BVTM – and they are inviting everyone to an online meeting.

Anyone who wants to make a difference in Berlin's transportation policy needs more than arguments. They need contacts. At least, that's how Patrick Meinhardt, CEO of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), sees it. From the inclusion taxi to the platform operators and the small specialist knowledge – the topics were diverse.

At the Parliamentary Taxi Evening in Berlin, the future of passenger transport law is at the forefront. Policy experts from four parliamentary groups and the Federal Taxi Association analyze current regulations and possible need for reform.

(dpa/tk) The city of Frankfurt is introducing a digital control system for ride services. In the event of violations of the rules, access will be revoked immediately.

Patrick Meinhardt, Chief Executive Officer of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), met with the new Federal Minister of Finance and SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil for a personal exchange. A conversation that the association considers an important step towards better cooperation between the industry and politics – and that shows how much the trade wants to make itself heard in times of digital platform economy and growing regulation.

The Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars (BVTM) is going on the offensive. In an open letter to Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, and SPD parliamentary group leader Dr. Matthias Miersch, the association, together with ten other industry representatives, demands that political influence on the minimum wage commission must be refrained from.

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.

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.

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 German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BVTM) welcomes the swift agreement of CDU, CSU, and SPD on a coalition agreement. The association sees positive signals in e-mobility, calls for improvements in public transport taxis, and urges renewed attention to the PBefG.

There can be various reasons why a taxi driver does not want to allow the transport of an animal. But what does it actually look like legally, are pets allowed in a taxi?Are pets allowed in a taxi?

The campaign for the federal elections is underway, and the Taxi and Rental Car Association of Germany e. V. (TMV) is taking the opportunity to once again promote dialogue between the industry and prominent transport politicians.

Taxi drivers make a significant contribution to public transportation. The PBefG and the StVO grant special rights to taxi drivers in some cases.

The President of the TMV, Thomas Kroker, and the Chief Executive Officer of the TMV, Patrick Meinhardt, met with the Deputy Chairman of the SPD Parliamentary Group, Detlef Müller, before Christmas. Müller is responsible for transport policy in Berlin.