Polish taxi drivers protest: demands relate to foreigners

Polish taxi drivers will hold a nationwide protest on October 16. The purpose of the action is to draw attention to the problem of illegal taxi drivers and unfair competition, reported taxi drivers' union NSZZ "Solidarność Taksówkarzy Zawodowych".

The requirements apply primarily to foreigners who work as taxi drivers for international services such as Bolt, Free Now, Uber.

The taxi drivers' union NSZZ is demanding that all drivers providing passenger transportation services be required to know Polish. They want to oblige drivers to confirm their trustworthiness with a certificate of no criminal record in Poland and the country in which they have lived for the last 10 years.

Representatives of the union also emphasize that taxi drivers should be checked by a state body, not by private firms with a dubious reputation.

"We demand the introduction of rules that will limit the uncontrolled activities of intermediary platforms of carriers. The current legislation allows intermediary companies to operate without proper control, which poses a threat to passenger safety and creates unfair competition," the organizers of the campaign say .

Taxi drivers also want to bring back exams on city topography, local legislation, and first aid. In their opinion, this will improve the quality of services and restore the profession's prestige.

Among the requirements are a few more:

→ creation of a nationwide register of taxi drivers;
→ mandatory employment under an employment contract;
→ long-term sanctions for violation of the rules;
→ uniform standards across the country.

The document containing the demands and evidence of "illegal schemes of companies associated with the transport mafia" is to be handed over to the President of Poland, the Marshal of the Sejm, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Infrastructure and local governments.

• In June 2024, amendments to the law on road transport came into force in Poland, which prohibit drivers without Polish driving licenses and those who have been in Poland for less than 185 days. A few days after that, Bolt lost more than a quarter of its drivers, Uber lost 20%, and Free Now reduced its fleet by almost 15%.