After a week of mounting tension on the roads of France, the nation’s taxi drivers—facing economic uncertainty and existential threats to their profession—have finally been granted an audience with the highest levels of government. The Ministry of Transport confirmed that it will host a high-stakes meeting this Saturday in Paris, with Prime Minister François Bayrou expected to attend, in an effort to quell the growing unrest sparked by a controversial new policy on medical transport services.
This emergency summit comes on the heels of four consecutive days of protests that have seen thousands of taxi drivers abandon their usual routes to instead converge on city centers, highways, and airports across the country. Their message has been clear and resolute: the proposed reforms threaten not only their financial survival but also the very structure of patient care in France’s healthcare ecosystem.
The Heart of the Conflict
At the center of this protest lies a newly ratified agreement that redefines how France’s national health insurance reimburses patient transportation. Officially signed into law on May 16, the measure is scheduled to take effect on October 1. It seeks to reduce the rapid rise in healthcare-related travel expenses, which reached a staggering €6.74 billion in 2024. Of that, over €3 billion was spent on rides provided by conventioned (licensed) taxis—an increase of 45% compared to 2019.
From a policy standpoint, the reform is framed as a financial necessity. But for thousands of drivers—particularly those in rural or semi-urban areas—this policy change represents a direct hit to their livelihoods. In many smaller towns, transporting patients to hospitals and medical appointments constitutes the bulk of a taxi driver’s income.
“They want to cut costs, but at what price?” asked Jean-Michel, a 53-year-old driver from the Vienne department, parked near the Ministry of Transport as part of a rolling blockade. “This isn’t just about money for us. It’s about survival.”
Protest on a National Scale
The scope of the movement has been nothing short of extraordinary. On Thursday, police estimated that over 1,700 taxi drivers participated in protests throughout France, with 960 mobilized in Paris alone. The capital saw major disruptions as protesters blocked Boulevard Raspail, a key artery near the Ministry of Transport. At Charles de Gaulle Airport, drivers staged a go-slow operation—deliberately reducing their speed to clog traffic—while others disrupted access to Disneyland Paris.
Marseille experienced some of the most intense demonstrations, with more than 300 taxis jamming a central thoroughfare. The convoy included drivers from as far afield as the Alpes-Maritimes and the Hautes-Alpes. Many vehicles were emblazoned with stark slogans like “Taxis and medical transport in mortal danger.”
In Pau, the hometown of Prime Minister François Bayrou and a symbolic epicenter of the protest, hundreds more drivers turned out. Organizers claimed several hundred participants, while local police counted closer to 100. Tensions flared when demonstrators encountered Socialist MP Olivier Faure, who happened to be in town promoting his latest book.
“They’re not rioters,” Faure told BFMTV after a spontaneous exchange with demonstrators. “They are professionals who want to be heard. This agreement hasn’t even come into effect yet. It can—and should—be paused for dialogue.”
Economic and Emotional Toll
For many drivers, the strike comes with real economic consequences. Estimates of lost income range from €1,000 to €2,600 over the span of the week—a significant blow in an industry already struggling with rising fuel prices, competition from ride-hailing apps, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thibault Lafontaine, a retired military officer and vice president of the taxi union in the Var (Union des taxis du 83), said he’s willing to endure the losses if it means preserving the profession. “We don’t have a choice anymore. We are in this together. I will be out here as long as it takes,” he said.
Lafontaine shared stories that highlight the human cost of weakening the medical transport system. “I’ve had patients tell me their local hospital, just 20 kilometers away, can’t treat them anymore. So they travel 150 kilometers to another facility,” he explained. “Costs have gone up not because we’re driving more for fun—but because the population is aging, people are sicker, and our healthcare infrastructure is eroding.”
On Friday, Marseille drivers planned to distribute informational leaflets in front of hospitals to raise awareness about what they claim is a looming crisis in patient access and mobility.
Battle on Two Fronts
The proposed changes to medical transport reimbursements aren’t the only source of frustration. Taxi drivers have long complained about competition from ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt, which they argue benefit from lax regulation while undercutting traditional taxi fares.
Tensions between the two groups have reached a boiling point during the protests. Some demonstrations have escalated into confrontations, with reported incidents of verbal threats, blockades, and vehicle damage. In response, the Ministry of Transport announced this week that it is considering stricter oversight of VTC (voiture de transport avec chauffeur) platforms.
Meanwhile, the Union-Indépendants, a leading VTC syndicate, issued a public statement urging calm and calling for mutual respect between the two sectors. “We acknowledge the frustration and economic hardship of our taxi colleagues,” the statement read. “But threats and damage are not the answer. Dialogue is.”
A Call for Mediation and Transparency
On Thursday afternoon, the taxi inter-union issued a formal request for the appointment of a mediator—a neutral party to facilitate negotiations between the government and driver representatives. Until now, discussions have been limited to lower-level officials from relevant ministries, but the unions insist on speaking directly with Prime Minister Bayrou.
“We need to talk to the person in charge,” said Lamine Benkacem, a taxi operator from Lyon and a vocal figure in the protests. “This can’t be resolved by someone in a back office who’s never spent a day in a taxi.”
Bayrou’s attendance at Saturday’s meeting is seen as a potential turning point. The hope is that with direct engagement, a path forward can be forged that addresses both fiscal responsibility and the real-life impacts on an already strained profession.
What’s at Stake
For many observers, the dispute goes beyond reimbursements or professional turf wars. It is emblematic of a broader national conversation about public service, fairness, and the cost of austerity.
France’s healthcare system—long considered one of the world’s best—is under pressure. Rising demand, budget constraints, and a shortage of providers in rural areas have created logistical and ethical challenges. In this context, taxis have become more than just a mode of transport—they are a vital link in the healthcare chain.
“Take us out of the picture,” said driver Sophie Messaoud from Clermont-Ferrand, “and people won’t just miss appointments. They’ll miss chances to live longer, healthier lives.”
The Road Ahead
Whether Saturday’s meeting will result in concrete solutions remains to be seen. The unions are demanding a suspension of the new agreement, a full review of the policy’s expected impact, and a fairer regulatory framework for dealing with VTC platforms.
The government, for its part, is walking a tightrope. It must rein in spending without alienating a powerful and vocal professional bloc that holds immense influence over transportation infrastructure—especially in critical areas like hospitals and airports.
If no compromise is reached, France could see continued disruption on its roads—and deeper fractures in its social fabric.
For now, one thing is certain: the drivers aren’t backing down.
“We are the wheels of this country,” Lafontaine said. “And we won’t be parked quietly.”