New day of taxi protests planned for September in France

Taxi drivers are set to continue strike action next month with a major day of protest on September 5, driver unions have said. 

Blockades will be set up at major train stations and airports in France, as well as on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, potentially disrupting travel plans and causing widespread traffic issues.

While an official strike motion is yet to be filed, a major meeting between various taxi driver unions and federations today (August 20) is set to result in an agreement to strike, as well as provide further details on next month’s protest.

Further action is likely to follow after September 5.

It continues a series of strikes and protests by taxi drivers in France which have been taking place since May 2025, primarily over proposed changes to the level of hospital transfer fees payable to drivers when taking patients. 

The changes are set to come into force from October, and could see a flurry of activity prior to the switch from angry drivers.

Previous protests have also seen taxi drivers criticise ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber for failing to enforce regulations on their workers. 

Transport fee changes 

Several rounds of negotiation between unions and the government have failed to resolve disputes over the incoming changes. 

Hospital transport fees are paid to taxi drivers by Assurance Maladie, and cover transport for patients – usually elderly and in rural areas – who need assistance to get to their appointments. 

Around half of all hospital transportation is carried out by taxis, but authorities say the use of light medical vehicles would be significantly cheaper.

As part of widespread cost-saving measures, the government is aiming to change how fees are calculated for taxi drivers, resulting in around €150 million of annual savings after costs reached €6.7 billion in 2024.

Major changes include an increase to the base fee for transporting patients, but a sharp decrease on claims for ‘empty’ trips after dropping patients off, even if drivers operate out of their usual operating radius for the journey, essentially making half of the trip unpaid.

Taxi drivers argue these changes will cause them difficulties. 

Secretary of the Fédération nationale du taxi (FNDT) Dominique Buisson argues the changes will see up to a 40% loss in revenue for some drivers. 

Up to 85% of taxi drivers gain some income from transferring patients and for some rural drivers it makes up the majority of their earnings, accounting for around 80% of their monthly income in some cases. 

Those who have agreements in place with Assurance Maladie to drive hospital patients usually earn around half of their monthly income this way. 

Mr Buisson argues that hospital transport fees are rising because patients are being asked to go to more appointments, and healthcare centres are becoming more difficult to access, particularly in remote areas. 

“This mobilisation…is not just for taxis, it is also for insured persons who risk no longer having providers for their medical transport,” he said.