The case in summary: Ola Moe Eik and his family were refused a short taxi ride from Flesland airport in Bergen. The drivers have no legal obligation to take on all assignments, but this may break the agreements they have with the airports. news has been in contact with several people who have experienced similar situations at the taxi rank in Flesland. Avinor confirms that the drivers at the airports have undertaken to drive the passengers where they want. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. After a couple of days’ holiday in Poland, Ola Moe Eik landed at Flesland airport in Bergen, together with her roommate and their child of just a few months. The last obstacle before the newly founded family could start the drive home to Kvinnherad municipality in Vestland county was to collect their car from Eik’s mother, only a five-minute drive away. It was a nice holiday, but the end at Flesland was a defeat for Ola and his family. Photo: Private – Since I had a pram and a sleeping baby, I agreed that I should take the first taxi down to my mother’s and pick up the car. It’s only a couple of minutes, so it couldn’t be a problem, says Eik. But there was a problem – he was going too short. – The driver asked if I was going far. No, I say, it’s a couple of minutes down here. No, then he wouldn’t. The Commercial Transport Act does not prevent drivers from choosing away assignments. Nevertheless, it may break the agreements the licensee has with the airports’ parking companies. – Taking the best trips even news has been in contact with several people who have experienced similar situations at the taxi rank in Flesland. When news itself tried to get a five-minute taxi ride from Flesland, the reporter was encouraged by six different drivers to order a taxi from a central office. Then the trip would be cheaper, they said. Photo: Martin Værum Anda / news Driver Reza Hovlandsdal was waiting further back in the queue. He says he is aware that some drivers do not want to take the short trips. Are taxi drivers allowed to refuse to take assignments? The Commercial Transport Act does not give drivers a driving license, the Ministry of Transport states. Thus, there is nothing in the law that prevents them from choosing away assignments. But even if it is not illegal to refuse short trips, it may violate agreements the license holder has, for example, with Avinor, county councils, or others who have entered into an agreement on taxi services. Source: Ministry of Transport, Avinor. – Many people take the best rides, and send the short rides to their mates behind. It’s not right, he says. He says the drivers wait in line for at least 30-40 minutes to get a customer, and would ideally like to be paid for the waiting time. Photo: Martin Værum Anda / news – Most people want good trips, true, and they have been waiting a long time. Some nectar, but I’m not happy about it. – Whatever the cost, Eik believes the driver tried to scare him away with high prices when he insisted on being driven the short trip from the airport. – I had a baby inside and needed the car to get us home, whatever the cost, says Eik. When Eik agreed to pay NOK 1,000 for the trip, the driver withdrew the offer, he says. news has been in contact with several people who are aware that some drivers refuse trips: Nadir Mohammad Alam / news State Secretary Tom Kalsås in the Ministry of Transport Kalsås says the ministry knows that some license holders refuse trips. He refers to new requirements from the government which will make the industry more serious. – For example, central affiliation obligation for license holders. From 1 March 2025, all license holders will be connected to a taxi centre. The centers can make demands on associated license holders, among other things that they must carry out all trips. Nadir Mohammad Alam / news Jan Valeur, board member of the Norwegian Taxi Association – After the deregulation of the taxi industry, the individual license holder is much freer to do as he likes than before, when he liked to belong to a central office. The freedom to choose is there, but common sense in relation to what is good for the customer is something else. From my side, I would say that I will take on the assignments the customer needs. The incorporated and serious taxi centers will mainly do that. Mathias Sommerseth Kjellmo / news Øystein Løwer, press officer Avinor – Avinor is aware that at certain airports it can sometimes be a challenge to get drivers to take short trips, but we do not see this as a major problem. In order to gain access to Avinor’s taxi area, you must enter into an agreement with the parking operator at the airport. In this agreement, there is a requirement for the individual driver to drive to the passenger’s desired destination. Mathias Sommerseth Kjellmo / news Thomas Iversen, Consumer Council – We are aware of the problem from several airports, but fortunately do not get many questions about this each year. – If the taxi refuses to drive you for a short trip, you should first ask again if that is what they actually mean. If they don’t want to drive you where you want, you have to find another taxi. Then I would complain to the taxi company, possibly the county council and the airport. Have a requirement to drive the passengers where they want Avinor’s communications advisor Øystein Løwer confirms that the drivers operating the airports have undertaken to drive the passengers where they want. Photo: Martin Værum Anda / news – To gain access to Avinor’s taxi area, you must enter into an agreement with the parking operator at the airport. In this agreement, there is a requirement to drive to the passenger’s desired destination. He says they are aware of such incidents at their airports, but would not say it is a big problem. Finally got home After trying his luck with three or four other drivers, he decided to order a taxi. He drove it for a few minutes to his mother’s for NOK 289. He is happy that it was arranged within a reasonable time, but is disappointed after the experience at Flesland. – It is unacceptable. When a taxi driver pulls up to a stop, he should be able to drive people regardless of how far they are going. Hello! Do you have thoughts about the case you have read or tips and ideas for other cases we at news Vestland should check out? Feel free to send me an email! Published 13.11.2024, at 22.21
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Taxi problems in Flesland – news Vestland
