Reform of the Brussels taxi sector: the taxi lobby wins, Brussels residents lose

Brussels has been waiting for a reform of the taxi sector for 10 years already. Minister-President Vervoort’s long-awaited Taxiplan was discussed in the Brussels-Capital Parliament on Tuesday. Brussels MP Cieltje Van Achter says that the plan will lead to discrimination between drivers, and both Brussels residents and drivers will suffer, with limited competition and high prices.

The taxi ordinance fails to tackle the major issues. In a text consisting of 54 articles, the government is referred to 92 times. The government must later decide on the fixed rates and the maximum number of taxis in Brussels, among other things, by means of implementing decrees.

Not what the people of Brussels want

However, it is clear that the major reform is not forthcoming. Cieltje Van Achter points out that it is a missed opportunity to modernise. “It has long been clear that the taxi sector in its current form does not meet the wishes of the Brussels residents. They want modern, accessible, affordable and, above all, safe taxi services. A flexible and sufficiently large supply, a competitive price and strict safety requirements and controls would be steps in the right direction. Unfortunately, the ordinance does not meet these.”

Written by the taxi lobby

“The taxi statute is still archaic and overprotective. It is clear from everything that this plan was written by and for the taxi lobby. Anyone who has a taxi licence today will automatically switch to the new statute. If they do not wish to do so, they will be entitled to EUR 35.000 if they surrender their licences. The government is thus whitewashing the black market of licences.

Social bloodbath

This is in stark contrast to the drivers who operate under an LVC licence and are not favoured by the PS. They will not automatically receive a new licence and will not receive any compensation. The government is laying the groundwork for a new social bloodbath and many future court cases.”

Competition limited, price high

According to Cieltje Van Achter the Brussels government is being quite interventionist. “All competition in the market will be eliminated. The government will determine how many taxis will operate and what the fares will be. The people of Brussels will be the victims of this, because the total supply will be limited and the price will be artificially high.”