Vienna Taxi Drivers Sound the Alarm: Guild Demands Radical Reform
Vienna’s taxi industry is raising its voice, and this time, it is not a quiet complaint. Leaders of the taxi guild say the situation has reached a breaking point. At the center of the warning is Resul Ekrem Gönültaş, who argues that the system is no longer fair and cannot continue as it is.
The biggest concern is price undercutting. According to the guild, some operators are finding ways to charge less than the official fares, creating unfair competition. Honest drivers, who follow the rules, are being pushed aside. Gönültaş insists that Vienna’s official taxi tariff must become a strict minimum, with no exceptions. In his view, allowing even small deviations opens the door to widespread abuse.
At the same time, the guild is calling for higher standards for drivers. They want stricter exams, more practical training, and strong German language skills. Driving a taxi in Vienna, they argue, should require professionalism and clear communication. Those who cannot meet these expectations, the guild says, should not be allowed to work in the city.
There is also growing frustration with drivers who break the rules. Gönültaş speaks openly about “black sheep” damaging the reputation of the entire profession. He is calling for more inspections and real penalties to ensure that rules are taken seriously.
One of the most debated demands is to restrict taxis from Lower Austria. The guild believes that only Vienna-licensed taxis should be allowed to pick up passengers in the city. They argue that these vehicles are the only ones fully subject to Vienna’s standards and controls.
Concerns about ride-hailing apps add another layer to the issue. The guild claims that some drivers operate under false identities, avoiding proper checks. To address this, they want app companies to regularly share driver data with city authorities.
For Vienna’s taxi drivers, the message is clear. They feel overlooked and under pressure, and now they are demanding change before the system breaks completely.
