HIBAPRESS- A. Mahyaoui
On Thursday morning, a protest was organized in front of the Fes-Meknes regional governorate, attended by a number of taxi professionals. They expressed a range of demands related to the professional, social, and economic conditions of those working in the sector. This comes in light of what the protesters describe as rising operational costs and accumulating challenges that affect their working conditions.
During this protest, the demonstrators raised a set of demands, chief among them a review of taxi fares to account for the continuous increase in operational costs while maintaining the economic balance for professionals. This must also consider the purchasing power of citizens and ensure the continuity of transportation services.
Professionals also called for the licensing of practicing professional drivers to address the shortage in the sector, ensure the continuity of the service, and meet citizens' needs. They also emphasized the need to combat illegal transportation and confront unlicensed vehicles operating outside the legal framework.
In the same context, the protesters called for measures regarding smart applications operating in passenger transport outside the legal framework, demanding that the law be applied to violators and that the sector be regulated in a way that ensures, in their words, fair competition among different professionals.
Among the key issues strongly present during the protest was the matter of accumulated debts and commitments with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Professionals demanded solutions that consider their social and financial situation and allow for the settlement of these dues in a manner that takes into account their ability to pay.
The protesters also reiterated their demands regarding the increase in diesel prices, calling for measures to alleviate operational burdens. This includes providing special professional diesel for taxis, which they believe would contribute to reducing the impact of fuel costs on the activity's profitability.
Professionals also called for support and renewal of the taxi fleet, as the aging of many vehicles necessitates, according to professionals, the adoption of support and financing programs to help renew the fleet and improve the quality of services and drivers' working conditions.
This protest comes in the context of ongoing discussions about the reality of the taxi sector, amidst demands for a serious dialogue between professionals and the relevant authorities to discuss the various issues at hand and reach solutions that consider the interests of professionals and citizens' rights to a regular, safe, and quality transportation service.
