Hundreds of taxi drivers working for platforms such as Uber and Bolt will take part in a demonstration on Thursday morning to demand better working conditions, the Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers (ABCL) announced on Wednesday.
At 09:00, at least 200 drivers are expected to gather at the Uber offices on Boulevard Louis Schmidt in Etterbeek. From there, they will drive towards Place Poelaert. At 11:30, they will leave on foot for the headquarters of the socialist FGTB/ABVV trade union, which they say supports Uber.
The protestors will arrive at the Brussels Parliament at around 13:00, before returning to Place Poelaert to pick up their taxis between 14:00 and 15:00. Traffic disruptions in and around these areas are expected "until the early afternoon," according to the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.
The drivers – whose services are known as "rental of vehicles with driver" following a heavily-contested 2022 ordinance – want the legislation to be adjusted to restore the balance between taxi platforms, such as Uber, and regular taxis.
'On the brink of bankruptcy'
The drivers have several demands from Uber, starting with the reduction in commissions received by the platform. They are also advocating a minimum rate, as well as rate adjustments for trips at night or during public holidays.
The use of the 'TripRadar' system (which allocates journeys to several drivers at the same time, creating increased competition and a drop in their income) should be stopped as well, said ABCL President Jean-Paul Mbenti. He noted "an unprecedented drop in turnover" and is advocating "a favourable environment and conditions" at a time when "most drivers are on the brink of bankruptcy."
Additionally, they want separate waiting spots for regular taxis and platform taxis, and believe that the Brussels Government should have only one official statute for both in the future.
Lastly, the protestors support the demand of regular taxis to apply the postponement of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Brussels until 1 January 2027 to taxis as well. For the time being, the postponement would not apply to taxi vehicles, which should be 100% electric from 1 January 2025. "We are not opposed to going electric, but with the profitability problems we are experiencing, this deadline is too soon," said Mbenti. "We need more time to prepare."
