Taxi strike – September 5, 2025
In response to a call from the Fédération nationale du taxi (FNDT ) and several professional organizations, a national day of mobilization is scheduled for September 5, 2025. The aim is to protest against the reform of medical transport, an area which accounts for an essential part of the activity of contracted cabs.
Among other things, the reform provides for a reduction in pick-up rates, as well as a restriction on billing for journeys without passengers (so-called “empty” returns after a patient has been dropped off). According to industry representatives, these new rules will permanently undermine the economic equilibrium of many independent drivers, who are already faced with competition from VTC platforms and ever-increasing charges.
According to the FNDT, the financial impact of these measures could represent several hundred million euros in losses, jeopardizing the survival of thousands of craft businesses. The unions also fear a deterioration in access to care for patients who depend on medical transport.
Faced with this situation, the professionals are announcing their intention to step up the movement by organizing blockades on the roads, in stations and at airports, until the government agrees to open new negotiations.
At the heart of the conflict: the reform of medical transport tariffs
The central point of disagreement concerns the new pricing regulations for contracted medical transport, due to come into force in October 2025.
While the reform provides for a harmonization of packages and a slight increase in rates, it also introduces a measure that is highly contested by professionals: the limitation of empty return journeys.
In concrete terms, after dropping off a patient at a medical establishment, a licensed driver would no longer be able to bill for the return journey without a passenger, except in strictly defined cases. These journeys represent a significant proportion of the business, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where demand is lower and more dispersed.
According to the Fédération nationale du cab (FNDT), this reform could lead to a 25-30% drop in sales for many contract drivers. Today, medical transport accounts for almost half the income of many small-scale cabs.
The unions estimate that the overall loss of revenue for the sector could reach 100 to 150 million euros a year, an economic impact likely to have a lasting weakening effect on the profession. This situation is of particular concern to the self-employed and small craftsmen, who rely heavily on agreements with the Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (CPAM) to maintain their business.
In the long term, some fear a reduction in the number of contract drivers available, which could complicate access to care for the most vulnerable patients.
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Third mobilization of the year
This action follows on from the spring demonstrations, which had already disrupted several towns with blockades on main roads 🚧, major slowdowns ⏳ and a few one-off incidents with the forces of law and order 👮.
📌 Also read: Taxis vs VTC – After the June 11, 2025 strike, the government attempts a fragile compromise (source and details here).
The aims of the strike on September 5, 2025
The cab unions have clearly expressed their intention to “paralyze the country” in order to force the government to reconsider the reform of healthcare transport and take their demands into account.
To achieve this objective, a national action plan has been put in place:
🔹 Blockades of strategic sites
The drivers plan to target the most sensitive infrastructures:
- Railway stations: Paris Gare du Nord, Lyon Part-Dieu, Marseille Saint-Charles, etc.
- International airports: Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, Nice-Côte d’Azur…
- Land borders: with Belgium, Germany and Spain
- Major roads and symbolic sites, such as the Champs-Élysées in Paris
🔹 Urban disturbances
Escargot operations are also planned on the main urban and motorway routes, to slow down traffic in the metropolises.
🔹 Potential blockage of fuel distribution
Some unions are threatening to paralyze fuel supplies, which could quickly have nationwide repercussions on mobility.
🔹 Coordinated but autonomous mobilization
This strike remains separate from a broader inter-professional movement, scheduled for September 10, 2025, which will involve the SNCF, urban transport and certain hospital and civil service sectors. The drivers hope to send out a strong signal and exert additional pressure ahead of that day.
The unions warn that if the government fails to respond, September 5 could be just the first stage in a prolonged movement, with a real risk of economic and logistical paralysis on a national scale.
A tense social context
The cab strike on September 5, 2025 is part of a particularly busy social climate, marked by a series of mobilizations since the start of the school year. Several strategic sectors are planning similar actions, faced with reforms or budget constraints perceived as threatening their economic equilibrium:
- The healthcare sector
Private practitioners, nurses and care assistants are sounding the alarm about the lack of resources, bed closures and healthcare funding reforms. Some hospital unions are already calling for workers to join the movement on September 10, fearing a deterioration in the quality of care. - Public transport
The SNCF and several urban transport networks (RATP, TCL in Lyon, RTM in Marseille) have announced a national mobilization to denounce the freeze on investments, internal reorganizations and new budget constraints imposed by the State. - Pharmacies
Pharmacists’ unions are also planning days of closure, to protest against lower drug margins, the gradual closure of rural pharmacies and the reform of target-based remuneration. - Cumulative effect expected
With strikes planned in several key sectors – healthcare, transport, pharmacies and cabs – September 2025 could see a partial paralysis of the French economy. The unions are counting on this cumulative effect to force the government to open genuine negotiations.
Against this backdrop, the cab strike appears to be the first spark of a wider social movement, likely to intensify rapidly if the demands of each sector remain unanswered.
Key points
| Date | Players | Planned actions | Main claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2025 | Contract drivers (FNDT) | Blockades of airports, railway stations and fuel supplies | Contestation of medical transport reform deemed unfavorable |
| September 10, 2025 | SNCF, hospitals, other sectors | General strike and widespread blockades | Opposition to budget cuts and imposed reorganizations |
Read also : Price of a Taxi License, What You Need to Know Before Buying
What to do during the taxi strike on September 5, 2025?
Faced with this national mobilization, users – be they regular travelers, patients requiring medical transport, employees or tourists – will have to adapt their journeys to limit inconvenience. Here are a few practical tips to help you plan ahead for the day:
- Plan your journeys in advance
VTCs and private chauffeurs are unable to go out looking for customers on the day of the strike. It is therefore advisable to book your journeys in advance with chauffeur-driven transport companies to guarantee the availability of a vehicle. - Favoring public transport
Metro, RER, buses and streetcars will continue to run, but expect busy schedules due to the reduction in cab services. For long-distance journeys, car-sharing is a practical alternative. - Allow extra travel time to stations and airports
If you need to get to an airport(Geneva, Chambéry, Lyon Saint-Exupéry or Marseille-Provence ) or a major station(Annecy, Sallanches-Combloux-Megève,Aix-les-Bains or Lyon Part-Dieu), allow extra travel time. Blockages and traffic jams are to be expected on the main routes. - Stay informed in real time
To monitor the situation :
- Consult prefecture and airport websites.
- Traffic information applications such as Sytadin (Île-de-France) and Bison Futé (national).
- Activate local alerts or municipal networks to find out which areas are affected by blockades.
Adapt your professional organization
For unavoidable business meetings, anticipate extra travel time. If possible, opt for telecommuting or videoconferencing, especially in big cities where there could be major disruptions.
Organize medical journeys in advance
Patients relying on contracted cabs should contact their haulier or health insurance fund to confirm coverage and arrange alternatives if necessary.
Read also : Aéroport International de Genève, Private Shuttle and Chauffeur Made to Measure for Your Travel Needs
❓ FAQ – Taxi strike on September 5, 2025
1. Will VTCs and private drivers operate during the strike?
✅ Yes. VTC and private drivers are not taking part in the social movement and will continue to provide their services. However, demand will be very high, which may lead to longer delays and a temporary increase in fares. Advance booking is essential, as marauding is forbidden. marauding is prohibited.
2. Will cabs licensed to provide medical transport go on strike?
✅ For the most part, yes. With the reform of medical transport at the heart of the demands, many contracted cabs are mobilizing. Some will remain available for medical emergencies. Patients should contact their transport service in advance to confirm pick-up.
3. Are blockades planned around airports and train stations?
✅ Yes. Actions have been announced in the vicinity of major airports (Geneva, Chambéry) and some major train stations. We strongly advise you to allow extra travel time to avoid missing a train or flight.
4. How can I follow the strike in real time?
✅ To stay informed :
- Visit the official websites of prefectures and airports
- Activate local alerts and city notifications
- Follow cab unions and the Fédération Nationale du Taxi (FNDT) on social networks
5. What alternatives are there to cabs during the strike?
✅ The most reliable solutions :
- Book a VTC or private chauffeur in advance
- Use public transport (bus, streetcar, metro, train)
- Favoring carpooling for long-distance trips
- Use private shuttles offered by certain hotels or airport hubs
6. What are the general recommendations for travelers?
✅ Anticipate your trips, book your transport solutions as early as possible, give preference to available alternatives and stay informed in real time. Good preparation helps limit inconvenience.
7. Can the strike last several days?
✅ Officially, the strike is scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025. However, some unions are talking about a possible extension, which could prolong the disruption.
8. Do I need to change my business or medical appointments?
✅ Yes, if possible. It is advisable to allow for safety margins, reschedule certain appointments or opt for alternative transport solutions.
9. Will unlicensed cabs take part in the strike?
✅ Yes. The majority of traditional cabs should join the movement to support demands related to new pricing rules and medical transport.
10. How can I guarantee suitable transport for people with reduced mobility?
✅ Contact your private chauffeur or a specialized service in advance to check the availability of suitable vehicles and to anticipate any specific needs (accompaniment, ramps, adapted seats, etc.).
The First Class Partner team
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