Do you struggle catching a taxi at peak hours in Paris? This is normal since there are even fewer taxi drivers and they are struggling with tourism recovery in the city at rush hours. A shortage advantaging passenger cars with chauffeur, as they are easier to find; whilst taxis prioritize reservations. And yet, new drivers were hired to prepare life after Covid and try to keep up.
G7 deputy managing director Yann Ricordel told BFM Business his “drivers complete 18% more races compared to June 2019”. 600 extra drivers have been recently affiliated to G7, to reach 9,500 taxis in the capital city, which seems to be not enough given the demand. And it is not likely to get better as tourists are not all back and two major events are coming to Paris: the Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Sector professionals are worried and ask the prefecture to deliver “500 extra licenses instead of the 200 or 300 planned”. The renewal of professional cards – compulsory every five years – has been withdrawing by 28% in Ile-de-France, as about 6,000 passenger cars with chauffeur have stopped their business during the health crisis. Without taxis to move around the city, tourists and locals will have to ride already crowded public transit.
