Brussels, 15 September 2015 – The European Social Partners in road transport, IRU and ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation), have renewed their call for a level playing field in the taxi and hire-car with driver sector. Fair competition is essential for supporting innovation and ensuring high service quality to customers, good working conditions, and competitiveness in the public transport chain.
Roberto Parrillo, ETF Road Transport Section President, commented: “Be it for taxi companies or hire-car with driver firms, or for their drivers, it is imperative to observe applicable social and tax rules, legislation and working conditions. This is crucial to ensuring good service and safety for the public. New technologies, including mobile applications used by customers, are very important to the development of the sector, in compliance with applicable laws in no matter which sector they are used.”
As a first step IRU and ETF request the European Commission to urgently propose an EU-wide access to the professional regime for taxis and hire cars with driver in Europe, taking into account the sector’s specific operational and service environment.
In addition, both organisations call upon legislators to ensure that decisions taken by authorities or courts in relation to self-proclaimed “ride-sharing for-reward” transport platforms are fully implemented and enforced, and that existing legislation and regulations, including on working conditions, are respected.
Hubert Andela, President of the IRU Group for Taxis and Hire-Cars with Driver, concluded, “The taxi and hire car with driver business has embraced the latest technologies to better serve customers. One year ago, we launched the Global Taxi Network, increasingly allowing customers, through smartphone apps, to access high quality, legal and safe taxi services anytime, anywhere in the world. A level playing field with all service providers is crucial for such initiatives to develop and serve customers in the optimal way.”
The IRU and ETF reiterated their resolve to cooperate with relevant authorities and mobility organisations to find urgent policy solutions, highlighting the challenges represented by transport services offered outside of the regulatory framework.
Contacts
ETF: Robert Parrillo, +32-475-89-78-39, road@etf-europe.org
IRU: Stuart Colley, +32-2-743.25.00, stuart.colley@iru.org
About ETF
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) represents more than 3.5 million transport workers from 230 transport unions and 41 European countries, in the following sectors: road transport, railways, maritime transport, inland waterways, civil aviation, ports, tourism and fisheries. The ETF is the recognised social partner in seven European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees including the one for Road Transport. The ETF Road Transport Section acts to reinstate the driver’s occupation to its rightful dignity, the dignity of a highly qualified profession which is a key element for the safety of transport operations and people in Europe.
About IRU
IRU is the world’s road transport organisation, bringing together bus, coach, taxi and truck operators to bring economic growth and prosperity through the sustainable mobility of people and goods. Founded in 1948, IRU has members and activities in more than 100 countries.