The Brussels-Capital Region's long-awaited taxi plan comes into force today, meaning that there will be new fares and more licences for taxis, but the Brussels Taxi Federation (BTF) is warning that taxis are not equipped to take account the updated prices.
The Brussels Regional Government approved two implementing decrees in early October to reform the taxi sector. Now, the new plan will finally come into force, but the BTF fears chaos.
"This will go completely wrong because in no vehicle has the counter been adjusted yet. And if they have, no connection can be made with the remote server," Sam Bouchal, BTF spokesperson, told Bruzz.
The number of licences for street taxis, with drivers driving for platforms such as Uber, will officially be raised from 1,425 to 1,825, but they will only be allowed to work via online booking and will not be allowed to use the waiting areas and reserved lanes for classic taxis.
Not yet equipped
Rides with cars from both categories will be subject to new fares: the price per kilometre has increased to €2.30, but according to the BTF, the counters in the cars of drivers affiliated to them are not yet equipped for this.
Bouchal blames the chaos on Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, who previously already said that not everyone would be happy with this taxi plan. "Well, he has been proved right, because there is actually no one at all who can agree with this."
Additionally, the number of licences for the classic taxis is limited to 1,425, but that is not the problem, he added. "The lack of drivers is. At the moment, we have 625 places vacant." This approach also increases traffic congestion in the city, "and I precisely thought that Good Move (Brussels mobility plan) was supposed to reduce car pressure?"
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For Bouchal, it would in that case make more sense to opt for full-fledged taxi drivers who are available around the clock, then to raise the number of licences for those driving for Uber, "who drive around for another three hours after their working day."
While the dissatisfaction among taxi drivers has repeatedly led to protests that largely blocked the city centre, the BTF is not planning any new actions this time. "We are not here to bully Brussels residents, they are our customers. Still, we continue to hope that a better and fairer construction will be chosen in the future."
Brussels Taxi Plan's new ride rates
In the new taxi plan, there is only one rate for the journeys of classic taxis without reservation of €2.30/km – making rides within Brussels €0.50 more expensive per kilometre and those outside the region €0.40 cheaper per kilometre.
Price per kilometre: €2.30 (instead of €1.80 or €2.70)
Entry fee: €2.60 (instead of €2.40)
Waiting time: €0.60/minute (instead of €0.50/minute)
Flat-rate surcharge for night rides: €2 euros
For street taxis – the drivers who work for platforms such as Uber – minimum and maximum rates will be implemented. However, classic taxis can also make use of these dynamic rates for reserved journeys.
Price per kilometre: between €1.50 and €3
Waiting time: between €0.40 and €0.80 per minute
Entry fee: between €1,5 and €3
