The city council’s district administration committee agreed to the move, providing that journeys within the Bavarian capital’s city limits must apply a base fare and rate per kilometre in line with taxi prices.
The base fare currently stands at €5.90 ($6.90), with an additional €2.70 per kilometre.
A dispute has been simmering in Munich for some time over the business practices of ride-hailing services, whose fares are on average around 40% cheaper than conventional taxis.
However, the providers “almost universally violate labour and social security regulations,” including minimum wage provisions, according to the Munich customs authority.
Taxi drivers have demonstrated in the city to demand fair competition and minimum fares.
Bolt described the newly adopted regulation as a “taxi tax,” calling it a “politically imposed price hike for everyday mobility that primarily affects consumers and is intended to protect a single industry from competition.”
The Green Party has warned that the ride-hailing services will not face surcharges mandatory for taxis, meaning they will still be able to undercut traditional drivers.
Taxi fares are also set to become more flexible in future, rising less sharply over longer distances. A journey from the city’s central train station to Munich Airport will then cost €10 less than before.
The regulations are due to come into force on July 1.
Source :dpa
