Roadway Congestion - Fixed taxi fares in Berlin may commence as of Sunday.
As of Sunday, customers in Berlin can set a predetermined cost for their taxi rides. This development is a result of an ordinance approved by the Senate on Tuesday, which will be published in the Legal and Ordinance Gazette on Saturday and will be effective from the next day. The authorities addressed this inquiry on Thursday, confirming the timeline. The precise time after the Senate decision was undecided until then.
The taxi industry has long campaigned for the option of fixed prices, hoping to level the playing field against ride-hailing services like Uber or Bolt, enhance demand, and boost their incomes. With these platforms, customers always know the fare they'll pay for their journey. Last-minute hiccups like traffic jams, roadblocks, or deviations during the trip no longer impact the price after booking.
This new policy parallels the procedure used by platforms. Taxi rides based on fixed prices must stay within a price range tied to the distance involved. Booking a taxi at a fixed price is feasible through the same channels such as phones, online platforms, or apps. One company, Freenow, has indicated that they will provide this new option promptly.
Berlin is the nation's second-largest city, following Munich, to take this measure. Presently, this doesn't encompass trips from BER airport to the city. However, the Senate's plan is to negotiate a resolution with the Berlin Brandenburg Airport and the Brandenburg region of Dahme-Spreewald.
From July 1st onwards, passengers can spot a fixed-price ride in taxis. However, there might be a brief delay as all devices in the vehicles undergo the necessary changes.
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This groundbreaking change in taxi fares was initiated by the Senate in Berlin, which aims to compete with ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt. Starting from Sunday, customers can request a cab with a fixed price, shielding themselves from unexpected tallies due to traffic or route changes. During rush hour, hailing an Uber cab in Berlin might become more appealing due to this new taxicab pricing system.
