Tensions between taxi drivers and VTC drivers
The summer holidays are fanning the fire of the formidable conflict between taxi drivers and car drivers working on behalf of VTC reservation applications. Faced with the boom in tourism and the increased demand for mobility, the relationship between the two parties is more tense than ever. Tensions sometimes turn into assaults in the field, under the eyes of customers.
In search of a trip with a luxurious appearance, saving time, affordable prices or even comfort, these are some of the reasons that motivate some Moroccans to opt for transport applications. However, these mobile applications represent, in the eyes of professionals in the sector, new competitors likely to jeopardize their industry.
Customers, on the other hand, hail the practice and praise the speed, convenience, and impact of these apps on their daily lives. Thanks to its applications, they are no longer forced to wait for a taxi outside or in stations. A simple download on their mobile and voila.
Mariam Harbouz, a young Moroccan living in Marrakech who usually uses this service, said that ” transport via apps was an opportunity to get around comfortably, especially with the overcrowding that Marrakech and Casablanca are experiencing at the moment”.
The young woman pointed out that these applications allow you to negotiate the price of the trip with the driver, unlike the taxi which can expose you to fraud, explaining that “ the fact that the car comes to pick me up frees me from having to stand for a long time waiting for a taxi, which is a luxurious privilege. Especially since taxi drivers in the ocher city exercise a form of marginalization towards Moroccans “.
Hamza Mahmoudi agrees with Maryam’s opinion, believing that ” transport via applications has become an alternative, given the illegal practices of some taxi drivers, I much prefer to use VTCs”.
” Taxi drivers should not consider these alternatives as enemies, on the contrary, it is an opportunity to coordinate and cooperate their efforts in order to satisfy the customer. “, he added.
Dounia, one of the drivers of the transport service via reservation applications, told us: ” I started to practice this work in the evening, because, on the one hand, driving at night is a pleasure, and on the other hand, these applications are a real opportunity for additional income. “.
Solicited by MoroccoLatestNewsMustapha El Kihel, Secretary General of the National Federation of Transport and Taxi Professionals, explained to us that “ the demand for these transport applications continues to increase, it has become intense. But one thing is certain, this kind of transport remains illegal, a situation that puts us in the face of a threat to the safety and security of citizens..
He added that “ small taxis are not opposed to digitization and are ready to engage in this development that the transport sector is experiencing, but the official authorities are obstructing the process of modernizing the law “.
Finding a small taxi in big cities such as Casablanca, Tangier or Rabat is often a lost challenge. It is a crisis that continues, but which is still far from being resolved, underlined the SG of the Federation noting that ” the Home Office must review these administrative complexities that alienate transport workers and limit their freedom to access and use technology in their daily work”.