Taxi Demonstration in Vienna: Car Convoy Moves Through the City Center

A spontaneously organized demonstration by taxi companies is taking place in Vienna on Wednesday. According to the organizers, over 2,000 taxi drivers are participating, who drove over the Reichsbrücke into the city center to Heldenplatz at noon, where they gathered at 3:00 PM. The taxi drivers feel disadvantaged compared to ride services like Uber and the large radio centers, and are demanding territorial protection and more commitment from the Chamber of Commerce.

The protest drive caused major traffic jams on Wagramer Straße and in the inner city area, with the situation in the city center reportedly worsening according to ÖAMTC. Shortly after 3:00 PM, there was a standstill at Franz-Josefs-Kai, and there were significant traffic jams on the further route from Urania to Lerchenfelder Straße and the left Wienzeile. There were also slight impacts from the diverted traffic on the Southeast Tangent. The end of the protest measures is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Distortion of Competition with Uber

For the spokesperson of the taxi companies, Omer Kavusah, there are currently several issues in his industry. He sees no fair price distribution between providers like Uber and the radio centers on one side, and the taxi drivers at the stand on the other side. The former can demand 20 percent surcharges and discounts, which the latter are denied. This is a clear distortion of competition.

Furthermore, Kavusah demands territorial protection, meaning: only taxi drivers with Vienna license plates in Vienna. It repeatedly happens that providers like Uber supply taxi drivers from the surrounding communities of Vienna with orders. Additionally, the protesters wish for a "reliable and integral representation of interests by the taxi guild."

Taxi Driver Protest in Vienna Under the Motto "Stop the Chaos"

The organizers emphasize that the demonstration under the motto "StopTheChaos" is exclusively supported by independent Viennese taxi entrepreneurs and drivers "without political function, without party-political influence, and without ties to the Chamber of Commerce." The protest is set to continue on December 9th.

This is what the organizers are concerned about: They are demanding, among other things, a "reliable and integral representation of interests by the taxi guild," as well as a uniform and binding taxi fare for all passenger rides in Vienna, including the abolition of the price band. Furthermore, they want area protection and increased control of business licenses.

Freight Carrier Demo Canceled at Short Notice

Side note: Originally, the freight carriers wanted to demonstrate in Vienna today, as they did in the summer. Back then, it was about the toll increase for trucks, which has now been implemented by the government in a weakened form. Due to an improved basis for discussion with the Ministry of Transport, today's truck convoy was canceled.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.