Taxi drivers have launched a new call to demonstrate this Monday, December 2 throughout France. A mobilization followed in Bouches-du-Rhône.
“The worry is really strong.” A demonstration by taxi drivers has been underway in Bouches-du-Rhône since very early Monday, December 2 after a new call for demonstrations throughout France. More than a hundred taxis are gathered at La Valentine in Marseille.
Several convoys
At the same time, other actions are being carried out. The prefecture indicates that all entrances on the L2 are closed in the direction A50 towards A7. Shortly after 8 a.m. this Monday morning, 331 kilometers of slowdowns were noted.
Several convoys also left across the department to reach the Lançon-de-Provence toll on the A7. A filter barrier must be installed in both directions of traffic.
A gathering is planned at Plan de Campagne. The convoy left at 8 a.m. to join the A7 near Vitrolles, passing through Les Pennes-Mirabeau.
Finally, another convoy will set off from the Grand Littoral shopping center. Taxi drivers will take the A55 towards Vitrolles, then the A7 towards Lyon.
Faced with the traffic difficulties announced, the prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône calls on motorists to anticipate or postpone their trips in order to avoid the sectors affected by the demonstration.
Concern about patient transport
Drivers are demonstrating against the new national taxi convention, currently being negotiated, which should last five years. Taxi artisans are particularly opposed to an additional discount from Health Insurance for the transport of patients.
“Taxis already get a 25% discount from Health Insurance and they ask us to make an additional effort of 25%. In fact, it is our margin which completely disappears. Taxis came in large numbers, because the concern is really strong”, notes Yazid Ziani, president of the Union of Independent Taxis of France in Marseille.
“The transport of sick people is 75% on average in the territory, but in rural areas, it is 100% of small communities who only have that to live on. We, in Marseille, live on a drip from the transport of seated patients (…) It is our lifeline, if it disappears, the entire profession will suffer,” says Yazid Ziani.
