New taxi plan goes into effect on 21 October: “A level playing field for everyone” (Brussels)
On Thursday, the Brussels government approved the two implementing decrees of the taxi ordinance, which had been given the green light on June 9. This will ensure a unified taxi sector and will come into effect from 21 October. “It will now be a level playing field for taxis and Ubers.”
Thanks to the taxi ordinance, there will be a common basic statute for standing taxis and street taxis. The numerus clausus, which is designed every two years, stipulates that 1,425 stand taxis can be licensed in Brussels. That is the same number as today’s traditional taxis. In addition, there is room for 1,825 street taxis that operate via platforms such as Uber.
The implementing decrees also lay down the rates prescribed with or without. Only stand taxis can use without removal reservation transport. The final kilometer price is 2.30 euros and far distance a minimum price for a ride of 8 euros.
Minimum price
Prescribed with reservation by street or stand taxis – a kilometer price of minimum 1.5 and maximum 3 euros, and also a minimum price for a ride of 8 euros. In addition, the training program was adapted to and adapted to the shortage of drivers and the quality requirements of the profession.
“This reform should lead to a better service to customers, including an adapted number of vehicles, a basic training course for candidate drivers and administrative simplification. The rate scheme was also revised and made for customers,” says Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (PS).
Next step
Pierre Steenberghen of the National Grouping for Taxi Companies is satisfied with the arrangement. “This is another step in a whole process Uber and traditional taxis can operate on a level playing field. In addition, there will also be better checks on the various taxi services. We would have liked to see a ceiling of 2,600 on the numerus clausus. We will now see the number of 3,250 livable in Brussels.”