The taxi world was buzzing with change and controversy in July – from new regulations that surprised drivers in Poland to dramatic strikes in Cape Town. What challenges and changes await the taxi industry? Read on to find out what's new on the transport market in different corners of the world.
New regulations paralyze taxi apps in Poland
In June 2024, the Polish passenger transport market experienced serious disruptions, especially in the taxi sector for apps such as Bolt, Uber and FreeNow. New regulations that came into force require drivers to have a Polish driving license and stay in Poland for at least 185 days a year.
These regulations immediately excluded thousands of drivers, mostly foreigners, from the market, which constituted a significant part of the transport fleet of these companies.
Platforms were forced to exclude drivers who did not meet the new requirements from the system, which led to longer waiting times for journeys and frustration for both drivers and passengers.
According to estimates, Bolt has had more than a quarter of its drivers removed from its platform, FreeNow has lost about 15% of its partners, and Uber has seen its business drop by nearly 20%.
Warsaw taxi inspections reveal numerous irregularities
The year 2023 brought intensive checks among Warsaw taxis, which showed that a significant number of carriers operated in breach of the regulations. Of the 1,835 checks carried out, every third revealed various violations.
The most common problems include lack of required licenses, use of false documents, and even lack of medical and psychological examinations.
The checks also revealed cases where drivers were wanted by the police, which raised additional concerns about passenger safety. In connection with this, the Warsaw authorities announced further actions aimed at tightening controls in the passenger transport sector.
Planned changes to taxi regulations
The Polish taxi industry is facing further regulatory changes. The government is preparing an amendment to the regulations, which aims to tighten controls and limit the possibilities of dishonest carriers to circumvent the law.
In the current system, the ease of obtaining a licence and the lack of rigorous controls have led to numerous abuses.
The new regulations aim not only to eliminate irregularities, but also to raise safety standards and the quality of services provided by licensed carriers.
Controversy over Uber and Bolt practices at Chopin Airport
In July 2024, reports of unfair practices by Uber and Bolt drivers operating at Warsaw Chopin Airport were circulating in the media. Numerous cases of manipulation of payment systems and failure to comply with safety rules were reported, which caused a wave of criticism and outrage among passengers.
In response to these allegations, transportation platforms have launched internal investigations, and airport authorities have intensified supervision of taxi drivers’ activities to ensure the safety and fairness of transactions.
Cape Town taxi drivers strike paralyzes city
In early August 2023, Cape Town experienced one of the largest taxi strikes in the city’s history. What began over new taxi impoundment laws escalated into mass riots that left several people dead.
Taxi drivers, unhappy with strict regulations that made it easier for authorities to stop their vehicles, blocked streets and caused chaos in urban transport.
After more than a week of negotiations, an agreement was reached with the authorities, but the effects of the strike were felt for a long time, affecting the daily lives of residents and the city's economy.
Nottingham taxi licence extension
In July 2023, Nottingham City Council announced changes to taxi licensing regulations that aim to extend the period for which vehicles can be used as taxis. These changes have been made in response to the financial difficulties faced by drivers and vehicle owners, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to new regulations, private carriers can now maintain their licenses for longer periods of time, which aims to make it easier for them to do business and ensure continuity of service to residents.
Consultation on Maximum Tariffs in Ireland
The Irish National Transport Authority (NTA) has launched a public consultation on a review of maximum taxi fares, which aims to bring them into line with current market conditions and rising operating costs.
Final decisions on the new tariffs are expected to be made in early 2024, which could affect taxi prices across the country.
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission Considers Rule Changes
In New York, work is underway to consider the possibility of eliminating the requirement to install partitions in taxis, which until now was mandatory to protect the health and safety of drivers and passengers.
However, these proposals are controversial, especially in the context of the constantly changing global health situation.
The decision, if implemented, could have wide-ranging implications for the operation of the New York City taxi industry and also impact safety standards.
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