The incident indicates that there is still a long way to go, while the traveler watches and asks questions about what on earth the profession is doing?
Tensions between regular taxi drivers and drivers of the online taxi service Uber are running high in Dutch cities. This conflict recently reached a new low in Eindhoven, where a confrontation between an Uber driver and colleagues from authorized taxi organizations (TTOs) escalated.
On a Saturday evening on Stationsplein in Eindhoven, emotions ran high when a group of taxi entrepreneurs entered into a confrontation with an Uber driver. The situation deteriorated when the Uber driver, reportedly in an attempt to defend himself, made waving motions with a screwdriver. Although no one was injured, this incident highlights the growing discontent and competition between traditional taxi drivers and those of the innovative taxi platform.
The conflict between traditional taxis and Uber is not new. Since Uber's arrival on the Dutch market, there have been persistent tensions, often fueled by differences in working conditions, income and market access. According to the municipality of Eindhoven, only TTO taxis are allowed to use the official taxi stands. Uber, on the other hand, operates in what they call 'the calling and ordering market'.
This battle is symptomatic of a larger problem within the taxi industry. Many self-employed drivers struggle to earn a decent family income. This, combined with increasing pressure from competition, can lead to aggression and desperation. The incident in Eindhoven is a tragic example of how heated emotions can run in a sector where competition is becoming increasingly intense.
The situation in Eindhoven raises questions about regulation and control within the taxi industry. While Uber emphasizes that their drivers can also join TTOs, the core of the problem remains the uneven playing field and the tensions this entails. Tensions between Uber drivers and traditional taxi drivers in the Netherlands are not uncommon, and incidents range from protests to possible criminal activity. It remains difficult for travelers to build a relationship of trust with the professional group within the boarding market.
scammers
A good example took place in Amsterdam, where a large group of taxi drivers stormed Uber's headquarters, shouting that the company was 'scammers'. This action, organized by the FNV trade union, emphasized the drivers' demand to either be treated as truly self-employed or be employed. Despite Uber claiming that their drivers have earned 35% more in the past year and that 94% do not want to be employed, dissatisfaction remains high among traditional taxi drivers.
Another example of dissatisfaction was the demonstration of more than 200 taxi drivers on the Malieveld in The Hague. These drivers, from Amsterdam and Rotterdam, protested against what they see as unfair competition from Uber. Their anger was partly fueled by higher insurance premiums, which they attribute to accidents involving Uber drivers. In Amsterdam and the surrounding area, there were three fatal accidents involving Uber drivers at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, in which four people died.
In addition, there is also a worrying trend of taxi drivers being involved in criminal activities. More than half of Amsterdam taxi drivers were involved in a criminal offense in the past three years. Researchers describe taxis as a perfect cover for facilitating criminal organizations, with 71 of the 1050 taxi companies operating in Amsterdam identified as 'possibly rogue'. In the past three years, according to the police, there were 22.339 incidents involving taxis in Amsterdam, one in ten of which involved violent crimes.
Photos for illustrative purposes only of the Eindhoven Central station.
