Taxi Unions in Tangier Blame Local Economic Division for Sector Chaos
Taxi unions in Tangier have held the economic division responsible for the current state of the taxi sector, accusing it of inciting disorder by raising the minimum fare for taxi rides.
Six unions and associations, which form the local taxi coordination committee, condemned the fare increase for transport services, stating it was implemented “without an official legal decision.” They asserted that this undermines the principles of institutional governance and law, thus fueling confusion in the sector.
The coordination committee noted that the economic division has failed to respond to repeated communications and has ignored official requests for meetings to discuss the core issues faced by industry professionals.
Transparent Discrimination
The committee also criticized what it described as “transparent discrimination” in the treatment of union offices and associations, arguing that it undermines equal opportunities and fosters division within the sector. Additionally, they expressed concern over the unjustified delays and manipulations regarding the management of the regional drivers’ registry, which, they claimed, exacerbate the difficulties faced by professionals and hinder reform efforts.
Furthermore, professionals pointed out the lack of a dedicated service for small taxi rides from the airport through the unified taxi window, emphasizing that the unique nature of these services should have been considered. Instead, there appears to be a systematic exclusion of this group from operations at Ibn Battuta Airport.
Economic Division at the Forefront of Accountability
While unions placed blame on relevant authorities, they specifically pointed to the economic division in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region as a central player in the sector’s difficulties. They expressed readiness to undertake all legitimate forms of protest to defend the rights and dignity of professionals.
Refusal to Provide Fare Increase Decision
Taxi drivers and unions revealed that the economic division informed them of a decision to raise the minimum taxi fare on Tuesday; however, officials refused to provide them with a copy of the decision, citing no explanation.
Many professionals believe this move is an attempt to embarrass them and provoke conflict with citizens, who seek clarity on the official decision to increase fares from 5 dirhams to 7 dirhams.
Lack of Response from Local Authorities
As has been customary, neither the Tangier-Assilah district nor the regional authority has issued any statement or clarification regarding the fare increase, even if what the unions reported is accurate.
