Several taxi unions have launched a call for mobilization this early Monday morning in Lyon, Marseille and in several departments of France (Deux-Sèvres, Puy-de-Dôme, Loire, etc.). The snails’ operations risk disrupting traffic, according to prefectures which recommend motorists to postpone their journey or favor public transport. Taxis are protesting against the agreement being negotiated with the health insurance company for the transport of seated patients, which could be signed in December.
This project would substantially reduce patient transportation prices. Additionally, patients will have to share their taxi or light medical vehicle (VSL) with othre patients, with a possible diversion of 10 km per passenger. “The service involves the transport of seated patients, with whom all taxi drivers have a special bond,” explained Abdel Grine, president of the Federation of Self-reliant Taxis of the Rhône. “The service will be deteriorated” if these conditions are applied, he judges.
Blockade operations in the Rhone
The blocking operations began early Monday near Lyon. Several hundred taxis are present at the Saint-Quentin-Fallavier toll booth on the A43, he indicates Progress. Four more blockages were recorded in the Rhône (A450, A7, A42/A46 and M 6), disturbing road traffic. The department’s prefecture calls for “great vigilance and calm when approaching all checkpoints.”
🔴🚕 The anger of taxi drivers:
320 taxis are arriving at the Saint-Quentin-Fallavier toll booth for a presentation.Half of the toll lanes are closed in the Grenoble-Lyon direction.#circulation #toys pic.twitter.com/TktyOt0AkK
— France Bleu Isère (@francebleuisere) December 2, 2024
“The prefect of the Rhône has communicated to the organizers that no lasting blockade will be accepted,” the press release states. “No action aimed at filtering access to hospitals will be tolerated by state services,” the prefecture further warns.
Towards Marseille ”almost a thousand taxis” were expected.
A snail operation also began early Monday morning, at the entrance to Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône). The A50 is saturated between aubagne and Marseille, towards Lyon, he indicates France blue Provence. Taxis want to gradually head towards Lançon-Provence and the A7 via the L2 ring road, adds the local radio. In total, “nearly a thousand taxis” are expected, according to Yazid Ziani, president of the Marseille branch of the union of Independent Taxis of France.
The prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône “invites users to anticipate or postpone their trips, to avoid the indicated sectors and to remain cautious when approaching congestion points”. Also in the Var, two processions started from the west and east of Toulon to reach the city centre. There are already important traffic jams on the A50. Several entrances to the city centre were blocked, causing several kilometers of traffic jams, and the Toulon tunnel was closed, the Vinci company said.
A demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday in Paris
Another region affected by this mobilization, New Aquitaine. About fifty taxi drivers are planning an action in Deux-Sèvres.in Paris, a taxi demonstration will be held in front of the National Assembly on Tuesday morning, according to the National Federation of Taxis (FNDT). On Facebook the association “ Team taxi » launches an appeal for a «static rally» around the palazzo borbone «and in other adjacent streets». “More than 2,000 taxis” will be expected there.
What are the main demands of the taxi unions involved in the protests in France?
Time.news Interview: Taxi Protests in France
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to our special segment on emerging transport issues in France. Today, we’re discussing a important protest initiated by taxi unions across several cities, including Lyon and Marseille. Joining us is Abdel Grine, the president of the Federation of Self-reliant taxis of the Rhône. Welcome, Abdel.
abdel Grine: Thank you for having me.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Can you explain why taxi unions have decided to mobilize this week? what specific issues are at stake?
Abdel Grine: Certainly. We’re protesting against a proposed agreement with the health insurance company regarding the transport of seated patients. This agreement, currently being negotiated, would dramatically reduce transport prices. While we understand the importance of affordability, the conditions set forth are simply unacceptable to us.
Editor: You mentioned how the new system could affect patient transportation. Could you elaborate on those conditions?
Abdel Grine: Of course. Under the proposed agreement, patients would be required to share their taxi or light medical vehicle with others. This means they might have to accept diversions of up to 10 kilometers to accommodate additional passengers. For us taxi drivers, who frequently enough form a special bond with the patients we transport, this not only creates logistical difficulties but also compromises the quality of care and service we provide.
Editor: That’s quite concerning. The prefectures have warned of potential traffic disruptions due to the blockage operations initiated by taxi unions. How extensive are these disruptions?
Abdel grine: The blockades began early this morning, particularly around Lyon, where hundreds of taxis have gathered to protest near the Saint-Quentin-Fallavier toll booth on the A43, among other key locations. These blockages are intended to draw attention to our cause and demonstrate our resolve. The prefecture has urged motorists to reconsider their travel plans and use public transport rather, highlighting the considerable impact our actions have on traffic.
Editor: It’s clear this protest is generating significant attention. How do you foresee the outcome of this situation? Are negotiations with the health insurance company still ongoing?
Abdel Grine: While we are hoping for constructive dialogue, the urgency of our protests indicates our deep dissatisfaction with the current negotiations. We need to ensure that our concerns and the needs of the patients we serve are prioritized. If we do not see changes to the proposed terms, I fear we will continue to escalate our actions.
Editor: What message do you want to send to those in power, including the health insurance company and governmental authorities?
Abdel Grine: We want them to understand that the transport of seated patients is not just a logistical matter—it’s a personal service that demands careful handling. we ask for respect for our profession and the patients we help. We urge decision-makers to engage with us transparently and take our concerns seriously. Together, we can find a solution that addresses both affordability and quality of care.
Editor: Thank you, Abdel, for sharing your insights. It’s a complex issue, and we appreciate your outlook. We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely as it unfolds.
Abdel Grine: Thank you for giving us this platform to discuss such an significant matter.
Editor: Thank you for tuning in to this engaging discussion. Stay informed with Time.news as we continue to cover the developments in this story and its potential impact on public transport in France.