Towards an increasingly flexible, comfortable, safe, green and accessible taxi service for all.

Cologne – Some 150 leading representatives of the taxi industry, as well as public authorities and media today gathered at the 4th IRU International Taxi Forum, where they supported the idea of fostering a joint, long-term effort from the taxi industry and its partners to improve the perception of taxis and their image, both within the industry and by policy makers and the general public.

The Forum participants also agreed on the fact that the full potential of taxis is still not realised, and that they have much more to offer in terms of customised and sustainable mobility to society and the travelling public, through flexibility, quality, safety, environmental-friendliness and accessibility, including as a recognised part of the public transport chain.

Hubert Andela, President of the IRU Group “Taxis and Hire Cars with Driver”, said,  “Thanks to their unmatched flexibility, which equals if not surpasses the flexibility of the private car, taxis contribute to empowering other public transport modes, since they complement them with a 24/7 customised availability. It is the taxi industry’s will and commitment to improve the quality and attractiveness of its services by constantly enhancing the professionalism of its managers and drivers and investing in new technologies. This can best be described through our common motto: ‘Taxi – anytime, anywhere.’”

Organised in partnership with the IRU’s German Member Association, BZP, and its regional member, Fachvereinigung Personenverkehr Nordrhein e.V., the 4th International Taxi Forum was held within the framework of the world’s largest taxi exhibition, the Europäische Taximesse.

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See:     The Forum highlights

            The IRU accessibility guidelines

            The IRU guidelines for safe eco-driving (taxi drivers)

            The IRU taxi driver’s safety card

Press contact: Juliette Ebélé, +41 22 918 27 07, Press@iru.org