(in Jimmy Carr’s voice) Ah, Brussels, the city of bureaucracy, overpriced beer, and now, taxi drivers on the warpath. What’s not to love? (chuckles)
So, it seems the cabbies are having a right old moan about the likes of Uber and Bolt. (in Rowan Atkinson’s voice) Ah, yes, those dastardly ride-hailing services, ruining the lives of good, honest taxi drivers everywhere. (sarcastic tone) Oh, the humanity!
But seriously, folks, the taxi drivers are protesting about the relationship they have with these platforms and some rather discriminatory points in the taxi ordinance of June 2022. (in Ricky Gervais’ voice) Ah, yes, because nothing says “fair” like a bunch of middle-aged men in waistcoats complaining about a bit of competition.
Now, I’m not saying I’m on the side of the taxi drivers, but (in Lee Evans’ voice) blimey, have you seen the prices of a Uber ride in Brussels? It’s like they’re charging you per nostril! (laughs) Maybe the taxi drivers have a point.
According to the Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers (ABCL), there’s been an unprecedented drop in turnover since the transition period ended in October 2022. (in Jimmy Carr’s voice) Ah, yes, because nothing says “successful business model” like a bunch of blokes in taxis driving around with no one in the back seat. (chuckles)
The taxi drivers are calling for a unified status between street taxis and “classic” station taxis. (in Rowan Atkinson’s voice) Ah, yes, because the key to success is always to make things more complicated. And, of course, they want a minimum mileage rate excluding commission, with adjustments for night and holiday rates. (sarcastic tone) Oh, and a pony, and a unicorn, and a free pint of beer.
But, in all seriousness, the taxi drivers do have some valid points. The commissions imposed by the platforms can be quite steep, and it’s only fair that they want to be able to borrow access to their own sites. (in Ricky Gervais’ voice) Ah, yes, because nothing says “progress” like a bunch of taxi drivers wanting to use the same technology as the rest of us.
And, finally, the farmers are protesting against the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. (in Lee Evans’ voice) Blimey, it’s like the whole of Brussels is having a right old moan today! (laughs) But, seriously, the farmers do have a point. The agreement could lead to unfair competition for breeders in the Old Continent. (in Jimmy Carr’s voice) Ah, yes, because nothing says “fair trade” like a bunch of EU bureaucrats making decisions about the livelihoods of farmers.
All in all, it’s been a right old day in Brussels, folks. (in Rowan Atkinson’s voice) Ah, yes, the city of protests, bureaucracy, and overpriced beer. (sarcastic tone) What’s not to love? (chuckles)
(reads in a news anchor voice) And that’s all for today, folks. Thank you for joining us on this wild ride through the streets of Brussels. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more updates on the latest protests, demonstrations, and general mayhem in the city. (winks)
November 12, 2024 Today at 4:14 p.m.
Updated at November 14, 2024 11:54
Brussels police expect significant traffic disruptions this Thursday due to a demonstration by taxi drivers.
After the farmers on Wednesday, it is the turn of the taxi drivers to express their discontent this Thursday, November 14. The Brussels Capital-Ixelles police zone anticipates significant traffic disruptions.
Traffic disruptions in Brussels
THE taxi drivers street (formerly limousines / LVC) gathered at 9 a.m. in front of the Uber offices in Etterbeek, before heading towards Place Poelaert. Around 11:30 a.m., they set off on foot towards the FGTB premises and will then reach the Brussels Parliament around 1 p.m. They will reach Place Poelaert between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., where they will collect their vehicles.
Shortly before noon, while the head of the procession was at Rue de la Loi, the Montgomery roundabout was about to reopen. Police expect traffic disruptions to continue until early afternoon.
Road users are encouraged to consider alternative means of transport and favor public transportnotably the train and the metro. For more information and real-time updates, Brussels Police refer to his channel on X @zpz_polbru.
Taxi drivers intend to denounce the relationship they have with the Uber and Bolt platforms and certain points that they consider discriminatory in the taxi ordinance of June 2022.
Why are taxi drivers protesting?
THE taxi drivers street people intend to denounce the relationship they have with the Uber and Bolt platformsas well as certain points that they consider discriminatory in the order of June 9, 2022 relating to taxi services. The Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers (ABCL) cites an unprecedented drop in turnover since the end, in October 2022, of the transition linked to the ordinance.
Full screen view Taxi drivers are pleading, among other things, for a unified status between street taxis which must be reserved in advance and “classic” station taxis. ©BELGA
In particular, they want a minimum mileage rate excluding commissionwith adjustments for night and holiday rates. They also hope a review and capping of the commissions imposed on them by the platforms and demand to be able, too, borrow access to own sites (reserved for public transport and station taxis, characterized by their luminous ceiling light). Finally, they offer a unique status for taxis in the capital.
Read also
Why are Brussels drivers in conflict with Uber?
Farmers against EU deal
Farmers, for their part, demonstrated on Wednesday against the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosurcommon market bringing together Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Many Walloon and European farmers see, in this agreement, a unfair competition for breeders in the Old Continentbecause it would lead, in particular, to an increase in imports of agricultural products from Mercosur countries, “in particular beef, which we already produce at home and better”, according to Fugea.
The farmers’ anger also concerns the management by the EU and the Federal Government of the bluetongue epidemic (BFT) which has been raging for two months and is not sparing Walloon farms.
Read also
Farmers’ demonstration: anxiety grows around Mercosur
On Wednesday, their demonstration did not cause major disruption traffic in Brussels, according to the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone, which nevertheless expected significant traffic problems from the start of the morning.
