France: Paris Taxis On Strike Because Of Motorcycles |
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File under France News Protests
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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The overpriced and rarely available Parisian taxis went on strike today in the French capital. Their protest, involving bring all traffic to a complete stop in Paris, is because of the Paris City Hall's decision to allow motorcycle taxis to use the taxi stands at the airports.
 Taxi protest from 30 January 2008 |
According to the taxis, motorcycle taxis are stealing the croissants out of the mouths of rich cab drivers, and motorcycle taxis should be severely restricted, if not banned altogether.
There has been a running fight between car and motorcycle taxis, sometimes physical, since car taxis do not want to share their "hard earned" money with their motorcycle counter parts, despite the fact that the motorcycle taxis have a different client set.
According to the authorities, there is enough market for both, and the city hall has already had to make several concessions towards cab drivers.
Personally, I think it's time that motorcycles started a protest against the taxi protests. Until now, cage taxis have been respectful towards normal motorcycles, but that has started to change. Most motorcycle taxis use Honda Gold Wings, and if a "normal" one rides around in Paris, he stands a chance of being squeezed by a taxi thinking the motorcycle is a taxi.
Let's hope the City Hall (Marie) doesn't cave in, as they usually do.
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