End in sight for taxi protest

TAXI DRIVERS’ Unions have called on their members to lift their strike action after three days in protest over ‘unfair competition’ from private hire car drivers.

The call comes following a three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Valls at Matignon, in which he promised to tighten controls on private hire vehicle (VTC) drivers, and clamp down on allegations of licence violations in 12 departments.

The UNT is among the unions expected to call-off its protest today, but others - including the CFDT - said it would consult with members before making a decision.

Hundreds of taxi drivers were still gathered at the Porte Maillot to the west of Paris overnight, despite the apparent breakthrough. But they have been melting away, and police expected traffic to return to normal by 9am today. Routes to the airports in Paris are also reported to be clear

Photo: Martin Cooper