a meeting in Nice with the prefect on the conflict with Monaco
French drivers (Uber and other applications, but also those of “big discount” that is to say the high-end) are faced with the greatest difficulties to work between the Côte d’Azur and Monaco.
This week, it was the pressure that reigned among some of the Maralpin drivers. On January 19, one of them confided to us that at the end of the day, he would keep organizing a demonstration, or even blockades of the airport, around major events.
A point of tension that may have been stopped this Friday evening. Since the beginning of the month, some VTC (transport car with driver) professionals have structured themselves in “Union of VTC 06–83”. Today, they are 130. By the summer, they hope to exceed 500 registered.
THE FOLLOW-UP AFTER THIS AD
The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes Bernard Gonzalez received several of these representatives this weekend for a long discussion. “He was very attentive, he understands the issues well” believes the group’s communication officer to Nice-Presse.
The challenge, therefore, is the end of the Franco-Monegasque conflict around the activity of drivers. “Currently, no French VTC professional can access Monaco to pick up a user. We can just drop them off (in accordance with the unsuccessful negotiations at the end of last year, editor’s note)”. The shortfall is considerable.
Last year, the introduction of a sticker authorizing the activity for six months to 210 drivers (taxis, etc.) was on the table, for a unit cost of 750 euros – which Monegasques do not pay in the opposite direction!
“We would like to be able to increase to 350 authorized drivers, for one year, and with a lower price”.
No decision taken this evening, but on the side of the road workers on underlines the quality of the discussion with the representative of the State. It’s up to you “whether or not Monaco will keep ending the blockade, the famous ‘everyone at home'”And under what conditions.
Another very big topic
A next meeting should be organized soon on another major issue.
During the summer season, since the Côte d’Azur remains the star holiday destination, many workers from other regions arrive in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var.
The people of the Côte d’Azur would therefore like protective measures to be put in place so that we do not take the bread out of their mouths. Remember that in winter, they hardly work. “In 24 hours of connection on Uber, I made 200 balls, do you realize?” we were saying one of them this week.
A crisis that had already broke in 2019, resulting in the blocking of Nice Côte d’Azur airport. The tracking of VTCs who are not authorized to work on the Riviera should then be intensified.
Controls which are carried out by the authorities, when many workers criticize platforms like Uber for not investing enough in the file.
Which is now on the table of the prefect, who did not respond to the comment proposal made by Nice-Presse.