Var Taxi Drivers Protest Against Proposed Medical Transport Price Revision
The streets of Toulon were brought to a standstill Monday morning as over 200 taxis staged a strike, causing major disruptions during the morning rush hour. Organized by the Union des Taxis Varois (UTV83), the protest was a forceful display of discontent over proposed changes to the pricing structure for medical transport. Many drivers fear that the proposed changes could devastate their livelihoods.
“I invested more than 300,000 euros last August when I purchased my license and vehicle. I work in Évenos. Almost all my business, 98% of my total income, comes from transporting patients to medical appointments,” says Stella, a taxi driver, her voice laced with concern. Her partner, Eddy, a taxi driver in Six-Fours, finds himself in a similar predicament. “Medical transport makes up 85% of my income,” he explains. “With these new pricing proposals, my earnings would plummet by 40%. It simply wouldn’t be viable.”
The drivers’ frustration is aimed at the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) and its Director General, Thomas Fatome.
Generational Crisis
Their anxieties echo throughout Var, particularly among those who rely on medical transport for their livelihood marked a historic day of protest. Filing into Toulon, drivers blocked the city, effectively halting traffic for several hours in a powerful demonstration against a proposed change to the pricing structure for medical transport.
UTV83 Vice-President Thibault Lafontaine, expressed concern. “We didn’t want have to protest. We dislike causing disruption for commuters. But if we remain silent; if we don’t fight for our future, half of the taxis will be bankrupt within a year. Our licenses, our cars, will be worthless.”
Uber-izing Our Profession?
Accusations against Fatome and the CNAMhowtoduring a Monday morning radio show.REWRITE THIS! “He’s a politician! He broke off the negotiations…” they say, disturbed by his pronouncements. However, Fatome clarified on the radio that willing to pay waiting times but then rejected this claim saying the opposite on the radio waves of France Info. ,
“We already engage in shared transport,” explains Lafontaine. . “But these new parameters will leave some pending for seven or eight hours while waiting to transport. This is inhumane,”
倒是
What are the proposed changes to the pricing structure for medical transport that are causing the taxi drivers to protest?
## Taxi Drivers Block Toulon Roads in Protest
**Interviewer:** We’re here today with Pierre Dupont, president of the Union des Taxis Varois, to discuss the massive taxi strike that paralyzed Toulon earlier today. Pierre, thank you for joining us.
**Pierre Dupont**: Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us what led to this morning’s strike?
**Pierre Dupont**: Our members are deeply concerned about proposed changes to the pricing structure for medical transport. The National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) wants to slash the fees we receive for transporting patients. This would be devastating for many drivers who rely heavily on this type of work. [[1](https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/var/toulon/mobilisation-des-taxis-le-point-sur-les-blocages-autour-de-toulon-et-dans-le-var-3069436.html)]
**Interviewer**: We’ve spoken to some drivers who say that medical transport makes up a significant portion of their income. What kind of impact would these changes have on their livelihoods?
**Pierre Dupont**: As you said, many drivers depend almost entirely on medical transport. For some, it accounts for nearly all their business. The proposed cuts would extinguish their income by as much as 40%. It’s simply unsustainable.
**Interviewer:** What is the Union’s demand?
**Pierre Dupont**: We are demanding that CNAM Director General, Thomas Fatome, withdraw these harmful proposals and engage in meaningful discussions with us. We need a pricing structure that is fair and allows taxis to continue providing this essential service.
**Interviewer:** Pierre Dupont, thank you for shedding light on this critical situation.
**Pierre Dupont**: Thank you for having me.
