Taxi drivers in Bremen stage a demonstration, causing a traffic accident, in protest against Uber's operations.
In a significant show of solidarity, **taxi drivers across Germany took to the streets on July 2, 2025**, in a nationwide protest against ride-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt[1][2][4][5]. The demonstrations were held in cities such as Berlin, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Mainz, Cologne, and Frankfurt.
The main demands of the taxi drivers are threefold:
1. **Introduction of a minimum fare for all car-hire platforms**, not just taxis, to ensure fair competition[1][2][5]. 2. **Stricter regulations and controls** on ride-hailing services, which the taxi industry accuses of operating under unfair conditions by not having regulated prices[1][5]. 3. The taxi drivers want “equality of arms” so that pricing is aligned and competition is fairer[1].
In Berlin, the protest was particularly significant, with over 1000 taxis participating, parading through the Tiergarten park near the parliament building[1]. The protest featured car corsos (convoys of taxis) across various cities as a symbolic and visible action to highlight their plight[2].
The taxi industry has been describing itself as in crisis due to what they perceive as unfair competition from ride-hailing platforms, which often undercut taxi fares by not being subject to minimum pricing rules[2][5].
Representatives of Uber and Bolt in Germany have opposed the minimum fare demand, arguing it would not save the taxi industry and would hurt consumers, potentially making them switch back to using private cars[1].
The taxi industry's actions are part of a nationwide protest day against ride-hailing companies, with taxi drivers in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Dortmund and Düsseldorf, participating earlier in the morning[4].
The taxi industry believes that they, as a regulated industry, should not have fixed prices while ride-hailing companies can operate without such restrictions[2][5]. The industry is calling for a minimum fare to be applied to ride-hailing providers, equivalent to the approximately 50,000 taxis nationwide.
This action is a continuation of the taxi industry's efforts to address the crisis they have been facing for years[3]. The protests are expected to continue until their demands are met, ensuring a compelling narrative of fair competition in the German transportation industry.
[1] "Taxi protests against ride-hailing companies in Germany." The Guardian. July 2, 2025.
- Radio Bremen reported on the taxi industry's financial struggle, highlighting the demand for a minimum fare in the automotive business to promote fair competition with ride-hailing companies.
- The taxi industry's nationwide protest against ride-hailing companies has also called for stricter regulation and financial controls, aiming to level the playing field in the transportation industry.
- In the face of the ongoing crisis, the taxi industry is turning to business negotiations, seeking partnerships with finance institutions to help navigate the challenges brought about by the rise of digital ride-hailing services.
