WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Germany
SWANSONG FOR MERCEDES-BENZ TAXI IN GERMANY AND OTHER COUNTRIES
It’s the end of an era for taxi users in Germany and a host of other countries now that Mercedes-Benz has announced it will no longer offer the taxi version of the E-Class after the model change next year. The ivory E-class taxis are a common sight in Germany and taxis with a three-pointed star on the bonnet have also been on the ranks for years in many other countries. Older W124 versions also still soldier on. A symbol of luxury and comfort, the E-class taxi is a cut above the humdrum Dacias and Asian-made vehicles used by many cab operators, although the E-class taxi models are more simply equipped versions of the private cars sold globally. Drivers revere the E-class for its simplicity and durability and many of the cabs rack up huge mileages. The Stuttgart maker has written to taxi customers to announce the upcoming demise of the E-class. The taxi version of the B-Class is also being dropped. The German Taxi and Rental Car Association wrote to Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Kallenius to complain. It said the deletion of the E-Class as a taxi was “catastrophic” and warned that it would “lead to a serious disruption of the relationship between the trade and Mercedes-Benz”. Demand for the taxi versions of the cars has slumped in recent years, Mercedes-Benz told Der Spiegel news maga- zine. It would focus in future on van-based taxi products. Mercedes has been supplying cars for use as taxis for 100 years and began working with cab operators from the 1930s, offering cheap purchase schemes and short delivery times.
from France
FRENCH TAXI DRIVERS PROTEST OVER RISING FUEL PRICES
French taxi drivers have been protesting across the country demanding the government take emergency measures to address the rising fuel prices, French media recently reported.
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In Paris, several hun- dred taxi drivers gathered outside of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance at the behest of the National Taxi Federa- tion (FNDT) and the LUT union of taxi tenants, according to the AFP. The protesters demanded a number of support measures, including bringing back the value-added tax on fuel from the current 10% to the previous 5%. Similar protests have also taken place in Nantes and Bordeaux. According to the country’s ecology ministry, the fuel prices increased on average 14% last week. The price has reached £1.78 per litre for diesel fuel, and £1.65 euros per litre for the SP95 gasoline.
from India
PASSENGERS, TAXI DRIVERS LOCK HORNS OVER CAR AIR-CONDITIONERS IN INDIA
As Bengaluru swelters under the summer sun, tempers are also running high as pas- sengers and taxi drivers lock horns over the use of air- conditioners. The Hindu reports that most drivers who have signed up with app-based platforms such as Uber and Ola are refusing to run car ACs citing high fuel rates. As of April 7, the per litre cost of diesel is ₹94.79 (rupees) (96p). “At times, they turn on the AC only if I agree to pay them extra,” said one irate passenger. According to citizens who regularly use taxis, drivers cite various excuses ranging from ‘the fare does not cover AC’ to ‘the company has instructed us not to turn it on as part of Covid-19 regulations’. Some passengers also reported that drivers have displayed a ‘notice’ inside the taxi asking for an additional ₹50-₹100 to run the AC. More often than not, the issue arises for long- distance drops especially when ferrying passengers to and from Kempegowda International Airport. Drivers, on other hand, said their earnings have dropped significantly due to rising fuel prices and hefty commissions taken by aggregator platforms.
MAY 2022
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