Urban mobility: New guidance on regulating taxis and private hire vehicles for more sustainable, accessible and fair services

The Commission has adopted a guidance notice for national and local authorities on regulating taxis and private hire vehicles. It clarifies how internal market rules should be applied to taxis and private hire vehicles, and how appropriate regulation can make these services more sustainable, accessible, and fair. For instance, the guidance advises against regulation leading to empty runs, such as an obligation for private hire vehicles to return to garage in between rides or geographical restrictions that prevent drivers from taking passengers on return trips from remote locations.

It encourages ‘pooling' of passengers, more sustainable vehicle fleets, and integration with public transport and active mobility. It also emphasises that requirements to become a driver and operating conditions should be simple and proportionate. Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: “Integration with public mobility, less empty runs and encouraging pooling of passengers are all part of today's guidance. With it we tryto ensure good service for customers across Europe as well as fair, safe and more sustainable operations.”

The guidance helps advance the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. It is one of the first deliverables of the new EU urban mobility framework presented in December 2021. More information is available here.

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