French taxi drivers are urging the government to provide compensation for significant revenue losses incurred during the Olympic Games due to traffic disruptions. In a letter to the transport
ministry, taxi unions described the Games as "hugely disappointing," highlighting how traffic restrictions and venue closures have hindered their ability to work. They have requested a compensation fund to cover the seven-month period affected by the event.
On Thursday, taxi drivers called for government intervention as the disruptions caused by the Olympics and a decline in regular clients negatively impacted their income. The unions stated that the Games had failed to meet expectations for the 20,000 licensed taxi drivers in Paris alone.
"Demand is slowing, and the entire profession is being prevented from simply doing their job because of these Games," the letter, seen by AFP, stated.
The unions pointed out that the anticipated influx of visitors for the Olympics had not offset the adverse effects of traffic restrictions, venue closures, and the absence of usual customers. They demanded the creation of a "compensation fund" to cover income lost during the seven-month period when public spaces were occupied for the Games.
Access to many Paris sites has been restricted, and several venues in and around Paris, as well as in Marseille, were blocked off weeks before the Games began on July 26.
In response, Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced in a social media post that taxis and ride-hailing services would now be allowed to enter the "red zones" around Olympic venues, which were previously off-limits for motor vehicles. With the high-security opening ceremony over, several safety measures had been lifted, easing traffic flow, the minister added.
The government has encouraged French residents to go on holiday or work remotely during the Games, further dampening demand and contributing to a sharp fall in business compared to the same period in 2023, according to the unions.
Some drivers reported their income falling by 40 to 50 percent. Last month, trade groups indicated that Paris shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs faced an "unprecedented slump in business and footfall," partly blaming the "heavy security measures" during the Games. Photo by (WT-shared) Riggwelter at wts.wikivoyage, Wikimedia commons.