Massive taxi protest, follow blockages/disruptions

Strategic blockages from dawn in Lyon

On this Monday, December 2, 2024, Lyon finds itself strongly impacted by a massive mobilization of taxi drivers. From 5 a.m., several strategic roads are blocked, making traffic particularly difficult for motorists. The main sticking points include:

• M6 at the Valvert interchange (Tassin-la-Demi-Lune): A key route to access the northwest of Lyon.
• Nœud des Îles (A42 – A46 – East Ring Road junction): One of the main north-eastern entrances to the metropolis, today completely saturated.
• A43 near Porte des Alpes (Saint-Priest): Severely disrupting access to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport.
• A7 / A450 interchange (south of Lyon, direction Vienne and Saint-Étienne): A nerve point connecting Lyon to the south of the region.
• A7 at the height of the southern urban boulevard (D301): A major axis for journeys between Lyon and surrounding areas.

These carefully chosen blocking points target the main arteries of Lyon traffic. Result: significant slowdowns form from the early hours of the morning, immobilizing thousands of users.

Regional disruptions on the access routes to Lyon

Beyond the blockages in Lyon, the main regional routes converging towards the metropolis are also strongly affected. From 4 a.m., major slowdowns occur on the following highways:

• A7 from Vienna
• A42 from Ambérieu-en-Bugey
• A43 from Chambéry
• A47 from Saint-Étienne and Haute-Loire
• A89 from Roanne and Puy-de-Dôme

These disruptions affect the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, complicating the travel of professionals, individuals, and transporters. The impacts are felt well beyond the Lyon metropolitan area, with accumulated delays and saturated alternative routes.

Local businesses paralyzed by blockages

The consequences of this mobilization go far beyond the simple framework of individual travel. For many companies, particularly SMEs and VSEs in the Lyon region, this day results in delays in deliveries, cancellations of professional meetings, and difficulties for their employees in reaching their workplace. Certain sectors such as transport logistics, retail and personal services are particularly affected, with significant potential financial losses.

Our trucks have been blocked since this morning, and we have had to cancel several deliveries

A manager of an SME located near Porte des Alpes testifies: “Our trucks have been blocked since this morning, and we have had to cancel several deliveries planned for customers abroad. These blockages directly affect our turnover and the satisfaction of our partners.” This situation also puts companies that rely on medical services or rapid supplies in difficulty. The economic impact of these blockages could extend well beyond today, with a domino effect on commercial and industrial activities in the region.

The prefect of Rhône takes measures

To try to minimize the effects of this mobilization, the Prefect of Rhône has deployed several measures. Diversions are in place on the A7, A40 and A41 motorways to allow bypass of the Rhône valley. In addition, specific traffic restrictions concern the A43 and the RD75, in particular to facilitate the circulation of emergency services and priority transport. Law enforcement is also mobilized to ensure that access to hospitals remains clear and to maintain minimal traffic on certain roads. The authorities are calling on residents to avoid all non-essential travel, to favor public transport, or to opt for teleworking when possible.

This Sunday evening she published an update to her press release which you can download here: CP_02012024_Manifestation_taxi_ _Rhône_point_de_situation_n2.

However, despite these efforts, paralysis remains significant, and users report extended travel times, or even complete blockages in certain areas.

The motivations of taxis and the impact of this mobilization

The mobilized taxi drivers are protesting against a reform of medical transport agreements signed with the National Health Insurance Fund, which they consider detrimental to their activity. They also denounce the rise in fuel prices and demand better regulation in the face of competition from VTC platforms. These demands, although legitimate for some, are struggling to gain support from part of the population. Many motorists and residents of the region express their dissatisfaction with a mobilization which seriously disrupts their daily lives. “I understand their demands, but why block people who are just trying to get to work? », asks a driver stuck for more than an hour on the A43. This mobilization, which paralyzes the entire metropolis and its surroundings, highlights the economic and social tensions facing this profession, but it clearly divides public opinion.

I understand their demands, but why block people who are just trying to get to work?

A difficult day for Lyon and its inhabitants

This day will remain marked by major disruptions for Lyonnais and residents of the region. The impacts affect all sectors: complicated commutes, postponed medical appointments, delayed deliveries and disrupted school transportation. If the dialogue between taxi drivers and the authorities remains blocked, the consequences could worsen in the days to come. In the meantime, residents of the metropolis must demonstrate patience and adaptation to deal with this situation.

To follow developments in real time, users are invited to consult the information disseminated by traffic platforms and local authorities. This day once again demonstrates the logistical challenges that a large metropolis like Lyon can face in the event of a large-scale mobilization.

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