Patient transport: taxis do not rule out further action by Tuesday

"While awaiting concrete measures, taxi drivers have decided to extend their mobilization. Determined, the profession is maintaining its mobilization hubs and continuing to organize actions and slow-moving operations," the inter-union declared in a press release issued overnight from Saturday to Sunday.

Following a meeting with driver representatives, François Bayrou announced on Saturday evening that the agreement, which provides for a standardization of rates for the transport of patients, and work on ensuring compliance with the rules by VTC platforms, two major demands of taxi drivers, would be reviewed starting Tuesday.

As early as Saturday evening, some, particularly independent taxi drivers, had announced their intention to stay on the streets until Monday, notably on Boulevard Raspail in Paris, near the Ministry of Transport.

"The federations received a genuine welcome from the Prime Minister. There are things that will be put back on the table. But in the meantime, drivers want to keep up the pressure and are wary. They are waiting to see how the announcements will be followed up," Dominique Buisson of the National Taxi Federation (FNDT) told AFP.

"For now, there are no planned blockades this Sunday at Roland-Garros or elsewhere (train stations, airports), but that could change. It's decided on the ground," he added.

Taxi drivers have been protesting for a week against an agreement that will change their pay for transporting patients. The new system is intended to be based on a €13 fee covered by health insurance, followed by a per-kilometer rate. It is designed to discourage empty return trips or excessively long waiting times.

This pricing is due to come into effect on October 1. The aim is to limit the growth in medical transport spending, which reached €6.74 billion in 2024, including €3.07 billion for licensed taxis (a 45% jump since 2019).

The review planned for the coming weeks must, however, be carried out "without changing the implementation date" of the text and the savings target, François Bayrou specified.