Thousands of taxis take to centre of Brussels

A large taxi demonstration is taking place today in the centre of Brussels, in a procession that started this morning near North station before heading to the centre with an aim to end up in the EU district at Schuman around 14.00. The taxi drivers are protesting against a new taxi plan proposed by mobility minister Pascal Smet (SP.A).

In the new plan, the transport services provided occasionally by individuals with their own vehicle will also receive an official certification from the Brussels-Capital Region. For taxi drivers, this amounts to the same as legalising Uber, an app-based company that offers taxi services by unauthorised drivers.

The taxi drivers complain that Uber drivers do not need to adhere to the same strict regulations as taxi drivers in order to provide taxi services in the city.

Police expect about 1,000 vehicles and recommend avoiding the city centre if possible. "Public transport will also be hampered by this demonstration. Only the underground metro will operate normally," said a spokesperson for the Brussels police.

Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort (PS) reiterated that he remains open for dialogue with the taxi sector. The taxi unions refused to take part in the first round of discussions focused on the new plan, which took place last week.