the anguish of taxi drivers in the face of rising petrol prices

Carte delecteur Entrepreneurs strangled by the energy crisis

In France, the price of petrol and that of diesel are well above the symbolic bar of two euros per litre. And this, despite the aid of 18 cents from the government. A particularly high price as the price of a barrel of oil soars. Just like inflation. A situation that penalizes private drivers and taxis.

Report by Theo Renaudon

In Paris, RFI went to refuel with Denis, VTC driver for six years. Head to the gas pump: Yes, even if it does not make me happy, I have the impression of stealing myself! “We open the bets, you say how much at the pump there? ” So 2,359 “. How much was it a year ago? ” We must have been around 1.28 ; 1.32, almost 1 euro less. I had a fuel budget for the year which was around 12,000 euros, so there I will be between 24 and 30,000. My fuel budget is double. »

Unprofitable routes

There are days when Denis cannot go out because the trips are not even profitable: “ There are clients that I call, to whom I say, I can’t pick you up; or I find a solution for them if they are loyal customers, but I sometimes don’t go out and simply refuse to go to work. »

Since the beginning of the year, I had to take 2,500 euros in salary, we are in June, 6 months. In fact, it feels like we’re self-harming “. And customers don’t pay more, he says… The competition is so tough, it would also scare them away. The dilemma is there now “.

Sooner or later we won’t be able to work anymore »

Franklysays Denis again, depending on fuel costs, we’ll have to make up our minds I think, sooner or later we won’t be able to work anymore, at 3 euros a liter I don’t even move from my house anymore, it’s no longer useless “.

►Also read : Rise in fuel prices: in Paris, VTC drivers who “can’t make it anymore” demonstrate

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