Taxi strike (Part 25!)

I just read that Parisian taxis would go on strike this Monday morning to protest a recent judgement that DID NOT prohibit Uber! I know they have a lot of constraints (including the fact that they have to buy the "right to be a taxi" (a licence) for about 300 000 €), but still... I don't think they will will in the end for the population is clearly in favor of alternative solutions; not only because of the price of course, but also because of the poor level of service that regular taxis deliver. I took this photo in 2007. 

Taxi war!

French taxis - and the Parisian ones in particular - are protected by something known as a numerus clausus (closed number) so that they are sure to have enough customers to make a living. There is so much demand compared to supply that competitors (SnapCar, LeCab, Chauffeur-Privé and Allocab )are trying to sneak in and grab a share of the cake, by bypassing this numerus clausus. Taxi drivers are very angry and since they have the power to paralyze the streets, governments have always given in... This time however, they might not win so easily, because their competitors really have the support of the general public.

Definitely the tourist season!

If you needed another proof that tourists are in Paris at the moment, here is one: I took this shot on the Champs Elysées, near the Arc de Triomphe and these are all the tuk-tuk (cyclo-pousses in French) that were waiting for customers! Exactly like at a taxi stand... Talking about taxis in Paris, let me invite you to read this article by David Lebovitz (who normally writes about food!) where you can learn how the authorities try their best to make the life of Parisians (and tourists!) miserable when it comes to finding a taxi in Paris (all this because taxis are a powerful lobby that can block the streets of Paris and paralyse the city!). 

Hep Taxi!

If you already came to Paris and took a taxi you probably found it hard 1) to spot them 2) to know if they were available or already taken. Not surprising for until recently it was not really easy: you had to guess  if the little white light on the rooftop was lit (free) or not (not free). The state of the light though was not easy to see and a lot of people - even Parisians - would shout "Taxi" without even taking a glance at the light ! Now there is a new rule: if the light is red, the taxi is busy (like in this photo) and it is green then the taxi is free. This has been the PDP tip of the day hoping to make your life easier...