GTN expands to Russia: The IRU Global Taxi Network (GTN) has new members. Taxi Semerochka, Taxi 068 and Taxi 777 have become the latest partners.
http://www.iru.org/en_media_press_pr?code=1241&lang=en
MyTaxi is offering a 50% discount on all taxi rides: This worldwide promotion is available until May 17 in all MyTaxi cities and is being covered by virtually all German media sources. The taxi is now an inexpensive alternative to the train during the week-long train drivers’ strike in Germany. In the meantime, taxi circuits and trade representatives are issuing warnings to MyTaxi drivers. The money for the promotion will have to be recuperated at some point through higher commission fees.
Quote of the day
“We can’t do any more.”
Paul Skalka of Radio Taxi Aschaffenburg speaks against a fare increase despite the minimum wage. “
“We are fighting against having to work illegally.”
Matthias Schmidt from Taxiverband Deutschland (German taxi association) explains why he believes a fare increase in his hometown of Aschaffenburg is necessary.
Automobile news
The new Skoda Superb: We found two videos of the first test drives.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1oypac_new-skoda-superb-review-test-drive-autoportal_auto
News from Germany
No agreement on minimum wage correction: The coalition committee of the two German governing parties CDU and SPD were unable to come to an agreement on corrections to the minimum wage that was introduced at the beginning of the year.
Protest from Thuringia: The protest disappointed the Thuringia State Transport Association very much.
http://www.ltv-thueringen.de/page/presse/-d_15964-t_news_detail/
No fare increase in Aschaffenburg: Three out of four taxi companies do not wish to demand higher taxi fares from their customers, so nothing is changing for the moment.
https://www.taxi-times.com/keine-tariferhoehung-in-aschaffenburg/
Undermined from within: A video in German describes how the app of the ridesharing service is being misused for commercial transport.
News from Austria
Taxi licence fraud: The state attorney against corruption has brought charges in six cases against alleged fraudulent activity involving the issuing of licences to taxi drivers in Vienna.
http://kurier.at/chronik/wien/betrug-mit-taxi-lizenzen-erste-anklagen/128.760.880
autonomous drive
Transportsystem der Zukunft: Der „Skyweb-Express“ nutzt automatisierte E-Fahrzeuge, die auf eigenen Fahrspuren oberhalb der normalen Straße fahren. Die Firma hinter diesem Projekt nennt sich „Taxi 2000“. Damit ist auch klar, welche Branche durch diese Art der Personenbeförderung irgendwann nicht mehr benötigt wird.
Our last words
Taxi trade PR strike: Train drivers in Germany are on strike for one week. The taxi is now an important alternative. MyTaxi has stolen the spotlight with its discount promotion. The Frankfurt Taxi Association has also taken advantage of this opportunity to issue a press release on the reliability of taxis. Unfortunately, the other taxi associations and circuits have missed this opportunity. What a shame.
About this update: Our bilingual ‘update’ summarises the international news of the last days and hours. As some of the links are in foreign languages, we recommend using a website translator.
