Germany: Taxi drivers plan nationwide strikes April 10

Event

The German Federal Association of Taxi and Car Rental union is calling for taxi drivers to strike nationwide on Wednesday, April 10, to demand new regulations on Uber and other ride-sharing vehicles. Protests are expected to take place in over 30 cities around the country, including in Berlin. Taxi drivers in Berlin are scheduled to strike from 12:00 until 15:00 (local time). During the work stoppage, taxis will drive slowly from Olympischen Platz, Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL), and the East Railway Station to Brandenburg Gate, where a demonstration will begin at 13:30. Associated “drive slow” protests and rallies are expected to be held in Düsseldorf, Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, and Dresden, among other cities. Significant traffic disruptions are expected around all protest sites.

Context

Taxi drivers are demanding increased regulation on ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, and protesting plans by the Ministry of Transportation to facilitate new service providers into the market.

Advice

Individuals in Germany, particularly in Berlin, are advised to monitor the situation, allow additional time to travel, and expect disruptions to taxi services and increased congestion on alternative modes of transportation during protest actions.