WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3441/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI New rules on taxis in Rome
6. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 320/49 To ensure that the funds allocated to Italy under the Initiative are fully used, the Commission will continue to monitor closely the programme’s implementation and if necessary will propose, in co-operation with the administrations concerned, that funding be switched between subprogrammes, an option already provided for in the rules of procedure of the Monitoring Committee concerned. (1999/C 320/064) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3441/98 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (24 November 1998) Subject: New rules on taxis in Rome The Rome city authorities intend, over the next few weeks, to introduce new rules for the city’s taxis, rules which have been fiercely contested by the entire taxi trade. In particular, the unions representing the city’s taxi drivers are not in favour of an untrammelled liberalisation of shifts, working hours and fares. Although there is a need for free competition, the introduction of the new rules would result in anarchy devoid of any kind of regulation capable of (inter alia) providing guarantees for users. In view of the above, could the Commission say: 1. Whether there are any directives or documents on the subject? 2. What the current trends are in this area in other EU Member States? 3. Whether such deregulation betokens a potential threat to the rights of users? 4. What its general view on the matter is? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (11 January 1999) Taxi services in many European towns and cities are subject to very restrictive regulations. The Commission is aware that some of these regulations can affect economic efficiency and lead to a rise in prices. This is particularly the case when the regulations unjustifiably limit admission to the occupation (numerus clausus) or restrict the scope of authorised services (for example, when they oblige drivers to return from airports without passengers). The Commission has not yet exercised the powers conferred on it by Article 90 (3) of the EC Treaty, feeling that the regulations in question have their negative effect on the national market. This excludes them from the field of application of Article 90 (1) of the EC Treaty, since the criterion of affecting trade between Member States does not appear to be met. Moreover, Community law on market access (1) and on admission to the occupation (2) for road passenger transport refers only to passenger transport services using vehicles suitable for carrying more than nine persons, including the driver. No measure has yet been adopted at Community level for passenger transport using vehicles for less than eight persons. In this context, it should be pointed out that regulation of the national, regional or local taxi services falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the authorities of the Member State. However, the Commission welcomes any measure of liberalisation in this sector which can improve its economic efficiency. In this particular case, the Commission does not have at its disposal the text of the regulation issued by the City of Rome. (1) Council Regulation (EEC) 684/92 of 16 March 1992 7 OJ L 74, 20. 3. 1992, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) 11/98 of 11 December 1997 7 OJ L 4, 8. 1. 1998 Regulation (EC) 12/98 of 11 December 1997 7 OJ L 4, 8. 1. 1998. (2) Directive 96/26/EC of 29 April 1996 7 OJ L 124, 23. 5. 1996, as amended by Directive 98/76/EC of 1 October 1998 7 OJ L 277, 14. 10. 1998