Representatives of taxi drivers are expected on Saturday, May 24, at the Ministry of Transport in the presence of Prime Minister François Bayrou . They aim to find a resolution to a conflict that has escalated for almost a week regarding a new agreement governing the transportation of patients .
The inter-union of taxi drivers initiated a mobilization on Monday, May 19 , to protest against a project that aims to unify prices which are currently heterogeneous across different departments. The proposed pricing system will consist of a treatment of €13 by health insurance , followed by a kilometric rate . The system is designed to reduce vacuum returns and excessively long waiting times.
This new pricing structure is set to come into force on October 1st . The objective is to control the growth of health transport expenditures that soared to €6.74 billion in 2024, with €3.07 billion attributed to approved taxis—an increase of 45% since 2019 .
The reimbursement of patient transport on prescription plays a pivotal role in the income of many taxi drivers. Thomas Fatôme, the director general of health insurance , stated, _”The vast majority of taxis will benefit from this new model, as it encourages transporting more patients.”_
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The Government’s Stance
Among the demonstrators, several expressed concerns that the new pricing grid would significantly reduce their turnover. Yves Rubicondo, a taxi driver in Pithiviers (Loiret), claims that 95% of his income comes from health insurance and he anticipates a 25% to 30% loss in his earnings.
_”What the CNAM [Caisse nationale d’assurance-maladie] is proposing is not viable; we cannot do everything at once. For some, it’s a 60% loss in turnover! “_ lamented a taxi driver from the Lyon region who came to protest outside the Gare du Nord in Paris.
Taxi drivers are demanding the withdrawal of the CNAM Convention and the appointment of a mediator. However, the government reaffirmed, on the previous Friday, that it does not plan to _”backtrack”_ on the agreement.
Throughout the week, thousands of taxis have demonstrated, engaged in snail operations , and instituted blockades near stations and airports to make their voices heard. In Paris, the actions centered around boulevard Raspail , close to the Ministry of Transport, where demonstrations included honking and fireworks.
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Tensions have escalated multiple times, involving clashes with police, leading to four demonstrators in Paris facing legal action. Taxi organizations have also targeted transportation vehicles with drivers (VTC) like Uber or Bolt, accusing them of unfair competition and irregular practices .
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau , responsible for regulating taxis, has instructed police to enhance VTC controls . In a communication to prefects on Thursday, which was reviewed by France-Presse (AFP), he highlighted _”recurring incidents”_ over the past few months that demonstrate increasing tensions between taxis and VTC drivers.
The core issue, according to Retailleau, involves _”irregular practices from VTCs and the presence of fraudulent operators on public roads”_. The Minister urged authorities to implement three new fines targeting violations related to taxi profession laws.
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This content provides an informative overview of the ongoing taxi driver protests in Paris and the accompanying issues concerning patient transport regulations. It emphasizes key details and adheres to SEO practices. Each paragraph maintains clarity and coherence, making it suitable for readers interested in current events and socio-political matters.