Fight for every passenger: Taxi drivers fear Uber and Bolt in the Nuremberg region

Fight for every passenger: Taxi drivers fear Uber and Bolt in the Nuremberg region

There is currently a lot of simmering in the Nuremberg region. Taxi drivers express massive concerns about the market behavior of platforms such as Uber and Bolt. These services are increasingly entering the market and putting traditional taxi companies under pressure. The industry's old hands are making serious accusations against the up-and-coming competitors and feel like they're being pinned down by the new offerings. nn.de reports a climate of concern among taxi drivers who fear that their existence will be threatened by rental car companies that are using aggressive strategies to attract customers.

The taxi drivers blame Bolt's dumping prices in particular, which are causing the market to become unstable. Miran Ali, operator of 80 vehicles for Bolt, responds to the allegations with a clear commitment to the cheap fares. He emphasizes that the lower prices are achieved through more effective use of vehicles that are constantly on the move. The BOLT app enables dynamic pricing that benefits customers. A trip from Nuremberg's main market to the airport during rush hour only costs 21.60 euros and takes around 25 minutes, while a taxi ride costs around 22 to 24 euros and only takes around 20 minutes, as taxi drivers have certain transit permits. br.de reports that customers appreciate the convenience of the BOLT app, which allows for easy booking and communication with drivers.

The fight for passengers

The customer service at the traditional taxi headquarters in Nuremberg, however, falls short of expectations. This relies primarily on telephone operators and receives up to 10,000 calls on a good day. Still, the headquarters is struggling to stay relevant in the digital age while new competition is integrated almost seamlessly into the city's mobility offering. In Nuremberg, almost 500 taxis are part of the local public transport system, whose tariffs are set by the city council.

In order to do justice to the competition between the various providers, the city commissioned a report. This analysis is about regulating the coexistence of taxis and new mobility services. One of the options being discussed is the introduction of a minimum price to ensure fair competition. Taxi driver Norbert Spitzer has said that he is open to a fixed price model in order to stabilize competitive conditions. While there is still a lot of need for discussion in the industry, a new tariff structure could be implemented in early summer.

In this tense situation, taxi drivers hope that their concerns will be taken seriously before they finally fall behind as professionals in the mobility sector. The fear of ruin and loss of their source of income is palpable and drives many of them to campaign for a fairer playing field. The coming months could be decisive for how the market in the Nuremberg region will develop.