WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Canada
PUSH FOR US RIDE-SHARE BAN IN TORONTO
Canadian taxi companies are using heightened national pride and trade disputes to call for a ban on American ride-sharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, in Toronto. The move comes as part of the city’s “Buy Local, Buy Canadian” campaign, capitalising on the souring of US-Canada relations due to President Trump’s tariff war. Taxi operators and a Canadian ride-share app have petitioned Toronto city officials to exclude US-based competitors. “Every taxi you see is a small independent, licensed business in the city, in this country, so if we’re talking about supporting local Canadian small businesses in particular, this is the perfect opportunity. Let’s stop supporting these giant tech companies who are siphoning money out of our country,” a taxi company manager told the CBC. This appeal to localism reflects a long-standing tension between traditional taxi services and the disruptive influence of global ride-share apps. The trade dispute is being used as a catalyst to push for protectionist measures. However, rideshare companies are pushing back. Uber Canada argues that a ban would harm local drivers and the wider Canadian economy. They highlight their contribution, noting they employ 500 people at their Canadian headquarters and support 180,000 drivers across the country.
from USA
NYC PAYS $140M TO CABBIES OVER UNLAWFUL SUSPENSIONS
New York City has agreed to a $140m settlement with 20,000 taxi/limousine drivers whose licences were unconstitutionally suspended following arrests, ending a protracted legal battle that began in 2006. The settlement addresses a policy that left drivers unable to work while awaiting trial, a practice deemed unlawful by a federal appeals court. The lawsuit, initially filed by taxi driver Jonathan
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Nnebe, challenged the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s (TLC) practice of immediate licence suspensions upon arrest. The legal fight gained momentum, encompassing thousands of drivers impacted by the policy. A pivotal moment came in 2019 when a federal appeals court determined that the TLC’s post-suspension hearings offered “no real possibility of appeal,” highlighting the systemic failure to lift suspensions. “The justice in the case is long overdue,” stated Bhairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a plaintiff in the suit. “It’s meaningful, even life-changing for some of the [drivers].”
from Turkey
ISTANBUL TAXI FARES SOAR, OUTPACING EUROPEAN FLIGHTS
In a startling turn of events, Istan- bul’s taxi fares have skyrocketed, surpassing
the
cost of flights to some European destinations, sparking widespread outrage and economic concern. Reports reveal a taxi ride from Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport now commands a staggering 1,700 TL (£36), while a flight to Athens can be secured for a mere 1,465 TL (£31). “It’s unbelievable,” said one resident, “how can a short taxi ride cost more than flying to another country?” This sentiment echoes across the city, as commuters grapple with these escalating costs. Taxi drivers, however, defend the price hikes, citing rising fuel and operational costs. “Passenger numbers have dropped, but expenses continue to climb,” a taxi driver explained, “making fare hikes necessary for financial survival.” They maintain that the increases are essential to maintain their livelihoods amidst growing economic pressures. The public response has been overwhelmingly negative with people shifting to public transport and ride-sharing apps. The situation has triggered calls for regulatory action, with suggestions ranging from regulated taxi pricing to expanded public transport networks.
APRIL 2025 PHTM
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