Taxi drivers are concerned about tram connection to the base

After Felipe has left the airport, he goes directly to a taxi with his wife and children. « It's easier with two children and a lot of luggage, » explains the traveler who has just returned from vacation in Brazil. From Sunday Felipe is standing with the tram Another transport option – and this is part of the taxi drivers.

“We are very nervous and worried about how passengers will react because there are many trips to and from the airport. We have already lost 20 to 30 percent of the trips to the Cloche D'Or district since the tram has been driving there, ”says Paul José Leitao, President of the Taxi Association. This concern was felt by the drivers who stood on the boulder on Monday morning, in the hope of being able to take passengers with them. How will business people like Felipe react to the new tram connection?

« If you are in a hurry, you will continue to take the taxi, » says Alpha Diallo, who has been working as a driver for a year. Toni also shares this assessment. He has been a driver for 22 years and states that « business people also work in a taxi, which is not possible on the tram ».

Bah Mamadou is waiting next to his red car in front of the entrance to the airport. « Customers will prefer the tram because it is free while our tariff is 55 euros for ten kilometers, » explains the taxi driver. The trips from the airport make up 80 percent of its work.

No reason for others

At the wheel of his car, however, Rafaël Leocu alleviates the risk of loss of business because he refers to the “precious time” of the business people. « You can't afford to search for your route and lose an hour, for example to get to Cloche D'Or while you are at a destination by taxi in a quarter of an hour, » says the driver, who carries out three to four trips from the airport a day.

« The tram will be good for those who know the city and live there, but not much will change for the others, » smiles Rafaël Leocu.

There is also no major concern for Carlos, because there has been free means of transport for a long time. The driver reminds that there are more passengers on the find every year. “I am sure that there are also more and more customers for the taxi. In 50 years there will still be taxis in Luxembourg, ”says Carlos.

“Unfortunately, there are changes every time there are changes, instead of developing new strategies to change something. They start criticizing, and that doesn't help us.  »

« Neglected » by the state

The situation of the taxis is alarming for Ermes Milhomens, the managing director of a small taxi company. « The company at the airport makes 70 percent of a company's sales. »

“The arrival of the tram can be expected to drop in sales of 30 percent. Certainly you will rather take a free transport through the whole city than pay a price that is a little too high compared to what we can offer in terms of service and quality. ”

In view of the state investments in public transport, Milhomens appeals to the government not to forget the taxis sector. “We feel really neglected. You don't necessarily see investments, cooperation or changes so that the quality of life of the actors in this sector improves, ”complains the driver.

He pleads for a collaboration with the state, either « in the form of a aid or a structure that enables small actors to help with large operators ».

Will the government support the taxi industry because the arrival of the tram on the find could further weaken the taxi industry? The response from the Ministry of Mobility is more general: “The two means of transport meet different needs. Taxis are still preferred by urgent travelers, business people and people with large luggage. In contrast to public transport such as trams and buses – the latter already goes to the airport – that follow a fixed route with many stops, taxis offer a direct, flexible and personal service from door to door. « 

This article first appeared at Virgule. Translation and processing: Melanie Ptok.