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Taxi drivers: inevitable fare increase in 2018?
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Lately, it has become harder to get in a taxi in Budapest. Nobody picks up the phone in the call centres, nobody can send a car, or they cancel the ride. According to Infórádió, this is because there are not enough drivers on the streets since wages are very low. Therefore, the job is not too attractive, so a fare increase seems to be inevitable. As we reported, the labour shortage has become critical in Hungary in the last few years hindering economic growth. The most affected sectors are public transport and service, tourism and IT. Jobbik’s Wage Union initiative could help, but the government does not back it due to political reasons.
The number of taxi drivers is too low
According to Organization of the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) transport department’s leader Zoltán Dudás, there are approximately 5,600 drivers on the streets of Budapest at present. However,
demand for taxis is higher than any time before.
Thus, the constant number of taxi drivers is not enough. Also, Budapest’s car permeability decreased so even taxis cannot be as quick as before.
As we already reported, BKV and other transport companies struggle with the lack of workforce even though these are more attractive jobs than being a taxi driver. Dudás added that according to a 2013 decree of the Budapest Municipal Council fares could be reconsidered each year. Therefore, BCCI will suggest
a tariff increase this year so that driving a taxi can become more attractive.
