These are large sedans that threaten to block the road to overpowered single-seaters.
Nice taxis have filed a strike notice for the weekend of May 26 to 29, when the famous Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix traditionally takes place.
The reason ?
A conflict between taximeter drivers and the Principality of Monaco over a tax paid by the French since the Covid crisis in 2020 which they consider unfair.
To work on the Rock, these carriers are indeed obliged to buy a vignette from the Monegasque government, which has issued far fewer since the start of the health crisis, according to France Bleu.
For taxis in Nice, this is a form of discrimination since their counterparts in the principality have no sticker to buy to work on the French side.
Without any joy of heart, we must therefore file a notice of demonstration tomorrow with @prefet06 … so it will be a year without Monaco GP 🏎 …@GvtMonaco @Monaco_Matin @BFMCotedazur @Nice_Matin @francebleuazur pic.twitter.com/uIXHDFkvsd
- CAVALLERA Fabrice (@CavalleraFab) May 9, 2022
"We note that the Monegasque government continues to treat French light transport professionals with contempt by allowing the question of legislation concerning the conditions of movement and care that are imposed on French professionals in the Principality to get bogged down since December 2021" , criticize the taxis of Nice by the voice of the president of the French Federation of provincial taxis, Fabrice Cavallera.
Negotiation
Nice taxis therefore threaten to block the roads and motorways around Monaco during the Grand Prix.
“The strategy of keeping French professionals at the mercy of their decisions is unacceptable while our Monegasque counterparts work in France in complete freedom, creating a harmful economic distortion, adds the press release from the Nice carriers.
We firmly denounce this state of affairs which seriously penalizes our companies and confirm that French taxis and VTCs are making common cause to make their protests heard and defend their interests.
“The sacred union in a way.
The conflict is taken seriously by the authorities, who take a dim view of the blocking of the region's flagship sporting event.
To avoid this blockade, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes will attempt a negotiation on the problem of vignettes with the Monegasque Minister of State, according to local radio.
The Prince's government, for its part, assures that it is in "permanent dialogue" with the French Embassy in Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture to "find a balance between the expectations of French professionals and the preservation of the legitimate interests of professionals in the principality,” according to their press release.
"Discussions have led the Monegasque government to make concrete proposals which seem to meet the interests of all", mentions the government of the rock in its text.
He invites Nice taxis "to favor the path of consultation and dialogue".
On the other hand, Monaco does not specify what proposals have been made to French taxis.
There are a fortnight left for the two camps to find an agreement,
