An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
An industry body has called the demonstrations "the largest taxi protest" in Germany's modern history. Taxi drivers are rallying against plans to open Germany to ride-hailing services like Uber.
Taxi drivers across Germany on Wednesday protested against government plans to relax regulations that would allow ride-hailing services such as Uber to operate in the country.
The German Taxi and Rental Car Association (BZP) called it "the largest taxi protest in the history of the federal republic."
Currently, the taxi industry has managed to stave off greater access to the German market for such services. Uber has permission to operate in Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf, albeit under heavy restrictions, including requiring special licenses for drivers.
The government has proposed relaxing those restrictions. However, the taxi industry has urged Berlin to shelve the reforms, saying it would decimate the livelihoods of taxi drivers.
Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said the government needs to take a balanced approach towards liberalization.
"We need a good supply of taxis that operate in fair, competitive conditions and with good social standards," Scheuer said at a taxi protest in Berlin, according to his spokesperson. "No one wants unfair, unregulated situations like in other countries."
Uber and other ride-hailing services have been criticized for undermining the heavily-regulated industry, failing to provide safety nets for drivers and, at times, compromising the security of clients.
But last year, Scheuer said Uber and other ride-hailing services provided new opportunities: "We can create new possibilities, especially in rural areas and for older people, with car services and pooling systems."
The minister also acknowledged via Twitter the upcoming protests on Tuesday, thanking a taxi driver for taking him to parliament and including a video of a two-minute conversation between the two in which Scheuer claimed he could meet "six and a half" of the seven demands issued to him by the taxi drivers' association.
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NEWCASTLE
A driver has been injured after a taxi crashed into a bus stop outside Newcastle Central Station.
Northumbria Police officers are currently on scene dealing with the collision and paramedics are treating the man for leg and shoulder injuries.
Emergency services were called shortly before noon on Wednesday but luckily it is believed no one has been seriously injured.
Witnesses are being asked to get in touch with police to help with their investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: "At 11.52am today (Wednesday), police received a report of a one-vehicle collision outside Newcastle Central Station.
“Emergency services are currently at the scene after a car was in collision with a bus stop.
“The driver of the car is being treated by ambulance staff for injuries that are not thought to be life threatening at this time.
“Any witnesses to the collision can call police on 101 quoting reference 386 100419.”
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