The taxi industry's involvement in shaping this change has been crucial.
Major changes are coming due to a proposal to adjust traffic regulation in favor of sustainability. The adapted regulations, aimed at zero emission zones, could bring significant changes for taxis in several cities, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, Haarlemmermeer, Rotterdam and Tilburg. This proposal, which stems from consultation with taxi industry representatives and feedback from individual drivers, aims to introduce specific zero-emission zones for taxis, which is an important step in making urban transport systems more sustainable.
The proposed decision to amend the Traffic Rules and Traffic Signs Regulations 1990 (RVV 1990) and the Administrative Provisions on Road Traffic Decree (BABW) is an important step towards a more sustainable transport system in the Netherlands. This decision makes it possible for municipalities to establish zero-emission zones specifically for taxis.
target audiences
Special considerations have been made for target group transport, such as the transport of students, the elderly and the sick, which is often provided by taxis. Although wheelchair vehicles are exempt, some of the other target group transport may not yet meet the access requirements of the zero-emission zones. Exemptions will become available for these cases, the conditions and duration of which are still being worked out in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) and in consultation with the industry.
The proposed decision to amend the Traffic Rules and Traffic Signs Regulations 1990 (RVV 1990) and the Administrative Provisions on Road Traffic Decree (BABW) is an important step towards a more sustainable transport system in the Netherlands. This decision makes it possible for municipalities to establish zero emission zones specifically for taxis. This is an extension of the existing options for setting up environmental zones, which now also makes it possible to regulate taxis in these zones.
As part of the SME test, discussions were held with individual drivers and feedback was collected via an internet consultation. These conversations showed that the switch to zero-emission vehicles is generally considered feasible, provided conditions such as sufficient charging infrastructure and an efficient exemption system are met.
These changes affect not only taxis, but also about XNUMX other municipalities that are planning zero-emission zones for commercial vehicles and trucks. This initiative is an important part of broader efforts to reduce the environmental impact of transport. The transition to emission-free driving is considered feasible by the taxi industry, provided certain conditions are met, such as adequate charging infrastructure and an effective exemption system.
traffic sign
The design for the new traffic sign, which is a crucial element of this policy, was created in collaboration with the National Signage Service, the Ministry of Justice & Security, the Public Prosecution Service Central Processing Office and Rijkswaterstaat. The design is partly based on the results of a user study, which should improve the usability and clarity of the signs.
In preparation for the publication of this decision, the municipalities involved are working together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) to develop the conditions and duration of the exemptions for target group transport. This policy, which is part of a larger shift towards more sustainable urban transport, has been largely welcomed by the taxi industry, despite the challenges of transitioning to zero-emission alternatives.
