Desperate ride-hailing app drivers disrupt traffic in Brussels

The demonstration in Brussels on Thursday was organised by the Belgian Association of Limousine Drivers and involved drivers working for ride-hailing platforms including Uber and Bolt.

Some of the drivers said they were on the brink of filing for bankruptcy due to rising commissions and competition from other ride-share apps and traditional taxis.

The protesters met with unions before heading to the Brussels parliament and Uber headquarters where they vented their frustrations.

Shah Syed, a ‘street cab’ driver, said the current commission of 25% is going up a further 10%.

”It’s catastrophic. Frankly, it’s really catastrophic. In any case, for me personally, I earn half of what I did before,” he said.

Cutting further into their incomes, ride-hailing drivers are being forced to switch to electric vehicles by January 2025.

Jean-Paul Mbenti, President of the Belgian Limousine Drivers Association (ABCL), said members are calling on the government to postpone that requirement by two years.

”We’re not ready. We don’t have the charging stations and so on and we haven’t even seen the means yet. So we’re complaining about profitability. They’re not going to impose vehicles on us that cost €50,000 to 70,000,” he said.

The association is also calling on the parliament to improve regulation of the sector, in particular, capping the commissions taken by platforms owners.

Traditional taxi drivers who also took part in the demonstration expressed frustration over working conditions and wages as a result of ”unfair” competition from ride-sharing platforms, according to the ABCL.

Those drivers want a minimum rate, excluding commission, with fare adjustments for nights or holidays together with separate pick-up zones.