Tension continues to rise between taxi and TVDE drivers in Madeira, with yet another complaint from a taxi driver at TVDE encroachment on their territory.
According to JM, a TVDE vehicle parked in a taxi rank in Funchal while waiting for customers, which constitutes, according to the taxi driver, “another violation of the legality of mobility in passenger transport.”
This is starting to be recurrent and abusive behaviour states a press note from taxi drivers to the newspaper.
The incident happened at the taxi rank on Estrada Monumental, a very busy area, frequented by tourists and residents. The taxi driver says that these situations are increasingly common, generating concern, nervousness, and uncertainty about the future of the traditional taxi sector in the Region.
Responding to the current infringements, the Taxi Association has confirmed that it has presented a formal proposal to the European Parliament to abolish ride-hailing in Madeira and the Azores. Among the reasons invoked are market saturation, worsening road congestion and unfair competition vis-Ă -vis the traditional sector.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
