Fed up. Toulouse taxis can no longer accumulate problems in their activity. With turnover in free fall, unfair competition from illegal drivers and a worrying start with the anguish of the 5th wave, weariness sometimes mixed with anger, are being felt. “Among our demands, there is first of all the situation of Saturday which, between 12 noon and 6 p.m., forces us to abandon Place Wilson to leave the parking lot to the CRS in the face of the demonstrations in the city center, notes Philippe Duran,” president of the National Taxis Union (UNT) 31. A state of affairs which obliges us to park at Matabiau station where the people of Toulouse are not used to coming to pick us up. Many customers also think that that day, we are not working or that Toulouse lacks taxis. Which is wrong, of course ”.

Attacks against taxis are increasing at Matabiau station

Among the problems, there are also the places of parking, reserved for this activity and always occupied by individuals: “aux Carmes, Esquirol, Compans Caffarelli… We still pay a fee of 210 € / year to the City for this. parking ”, protested the manager. Another concern in this sector: the illegal drivers who pick up customers, with complete impunity, especially when leaving nightclubs: “With the covid and the slowdown in various sectors (hotel, airline, etc.), we have lost a lot of prices. Many of us also use medical transport to compensate ”. And finally, the security aspect. “For some time, we have also been attacked, including Matabiau station, assures Philippe Duran, supported by a driver. Recently, colleagues were assaulted twice by a gang of young people. We no longer feel safe at all, despite the cameras ”.
Toulouse City Hall is taking the situation very seriously. The profession will also be received in December by Cécile Dufraisse, deputy mayor in charge of the file. “Taxis know that the City is concerned about their problems, assures the City of Toulouse. Moreover, the municipal police sector brigade and the other police take turns in the station sector in particular. In general, the issue of parking around the station is indeed a point of vigilance. In addition to the regular passages of the ASVP during the day, the municipal police officers are also mobilized to respect the traffic orders. 2022 will complete their action “.