Taxis are protesting in Paris and Île-de-France against the reduction in mileage rates for medical transport, provided for in the new Health Insurance convention. Snail operations and massive blockages are expected from December 3 to 5, 2024. We take stock of the situation.
Be careful, motorists, the circulation could be difficult from December 3 to 5 in Paris region ! From this Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Paris and Île-de-France will be the scene of a large-scale mobilization of taxi drivers Franceinfo informs us. In question, the reduction in the mileage rate for medical transport, which will go from €1.50 to €1 per kilometer. This change, included in the new health insurance convention, directly threatens an activity representing up to 90% of turnover many professionals.
Massive blockages around the National Assembly
On the initiative of the association “Team taxi”a rally of drivers has been underway since 8haround the National Assembly. On site, a reporter from France Bleu Paris mentions the presence of more than a hundred taxis came from cities such as Lille, Reims, Savoie and Normandy. The latter parked between the National Assembly and the Invalides, in an atmosphere marked by the use of firecrackers and smoke bombs, under reinforced police surveillance. More than 2000 taxis are expected around the National Assembly.
Snail operations in Île-de-France
In addition to the blockages in Paris, snail operations are expected in neighboring departments, notably the Hauts-de-Seinethe Seine-Saint-Denis et Essonne. In the direction of Paris, taxis disrupt traffic this Tuesday morning, particularly on the highway A1 and theA13where a convoy of 800 taxis left Louveciennes to reach the capital. HAS 9h30the site Sytadin already reported more than 500 km of traffic jams in the region. Traffic is also complicated on theA6with significant slowdowns between Ris-Orangis and Wissous, according to France Bleu Paris. Traffic is saturated on the A1 between Gonesse (Val-d'Oise) and Porte de la Chapelle (18th century). Difficulties also on theA12 and on the A13 towards Paris to join the Porte d'Auteuil. According to the National Union of Parisian Taxis, other drivers, notably Marseille et Lyonshould join the movement in the afternoon.
A national movement against a contested reform
The anger of taxi drivers is not limited to Île-de-France. According to the National Taxi Federation (FNDT), demonstrations are planned in around thirty departments, including Aude, Eure-et-Loir, Calvados and Gironde. Professionals denounce a reform which, according to them, does not take into account the real costs of medical transportation and accentuates the precariousness of their profession, already weakened by competition from VTCs.
Advice for users in Île-de-France
Faced with these disruptions, Ile-de-France residents are advised to favor public transport and follow real-time updates on traffic conditions. The situation around the National Assembly and on the main roads could remain tense for several days.
This mobilization reflects a deep unease in the taxi profession, where concern about the future mixes with a demand for recognition of their crucial role in transporting patients.
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