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Bucharest City Hall Has Not Authorized Romanian Taxi Drivers’ Protest

The City Hall of Romania’s capital Bucharest has not authorized the rally planned by two transporter and taxi driver associations for April 22-26, on the grounds that it would severely affect road traffic and the activity of public institutions.
Bucharest City Hall Has Not Authorized Romanian Taxi Drivers’ Protest
19 apr. 2010, 14:55, English

The Taxi and Rental Transporters’ Professional Association (APTI) and the Romanian Transport Operators’ Federation (FORT) complained that the Bucharest City Hall Transport Department refuses to extend the taxi authorizations which expired at the end of February.

The associations also object to an article in a recently issued ordinance, which prohibits taxi cabs from waiting in places other than the area for which they have authorization. This means Bucharest-registered cabs are banned from picking up passengers at Otopeni Airport or commercial centers located in Ilfov County.

A solution proposed by City Hall was rejected by FORT, on the grounds that it „lacks impact,” according to a press release issued by the Federation on Monday.

„FORT deems the Bucharest City Hall’s position unfair and discriminatory, given that it authorized a similar rally before,” the press release says, referring to a rally held by transporter union COTAR.

FORT’s leadership will take stock of the situation and will take a decision soon. The Federation requested a meeting with Prime Minister Emil Boc on the acts approved by the Ministry of Transports and Infrastructure.

The transporters had planned to hold protests in Bucharest’s Victoriei Plaza and major streets. Furthermore, they said that twenty cars would travel to Brussels and picket the European Commission’s headquarters.