CRS Deployed to Manage Taxi Protests in Lyon
On December 3, 2024, the Rhône prefecture in France took decisive action to address ongoing taxi protests in Lyon, calling in the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) to clear blocked traffic lanes. The protests, which began on December 2, involved over 1,500 taxi drivers who were demonstrating against a proposed reduction in the price of patient transport services. The prefecture announced on social media that police were deployed to restore traffic flow, highlighting the seriousness of the situation as disruptions affected many commuters and emergency services.
The protests were sparked by the Barnier government's plan to save 300 million euros on medical transport costs, which would require taxi and medical transport services to negotiate pricing with Health Insurance. This proposal has raised concerns among taxi drivers, many of whom transport vulnerable patients requiring critical medical care, such as those undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy. Pascal Wilder, a veteran taxi driver, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "For some of our customers, it's vital that they are transported."
Nationwide Actions and Demands
While the number of demonstrators in Lyon decreased on the second day of protests, actions were also taking place across France. In Paris, around 2,000 taxis gathered near the National Assembly, causing significant traffic congestion. The Team Taxi association emphasized the need to protect taxi services as an essential public service and combat illegal competition from ride-hailing platforms.
The taxi drivers are demanding the abandonment of measures that threaten their livelihoods and are advocating for better regulations to ensure fair competition in the transport sector. The protests reflect a broader discontent among taxi drivers regarding their income, which has reportedly decreased by 40% due to various pressures in the industry.
