Taxi drivers threaten city blockade over proposed fare changes

Budapest taxi drivers are preparing to blockade the capital city over the weekend if the Metropolitan Assembly decides to deregulate fares at its upcoming meeting. The drivers are protesting a proposal they believe would leave small, local businesses vulnerable, especially given rising operational costs.

According to reports, taxi operating costs have surged by over 40% since 2022. Drivers argue that the Budapest Transport Center's (BKK) new proposal, submitted without consultation, exacerbates their financial strain. They contend that the city government is legally obligated to compensate them for these increasing costs, as stipulated by the price law.

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The Taxi Drivers' Interest Protection Organization misunderstood the new proposal package submitted by BKK.

Kiss Ambrus, chief director of the Mayor's Office, stated that the Taxi Drivers' Interest Protection Organization has misunderstood the BKK's proposal. He clarified that the deregulation of fixed official prices is only theoretically included for the future and will not be voted on by the Metropolitan Assembly this Friday. Despite this clarification, taxi drivers, who also demonstrated in September last year, remain wary of the potential changes and their impact on their livelihoods.

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In the future, the deregulation of fixed official prices is only theoretically included, but the Metropolitan Assembly will not vote on it this Friday.