Affordable and Profitable Taxis in Brussels
12.33
From 2012 to 2013
TML conducted a study to understand the profitability of the taxi sector, focusing on the current fare structure and the impact of price changes on the use of taxis compared to other modes of transport.
The Brussels Capital Region (BCR) clearly sees the taxi as a complementary transport mode to public transport and an important component to improve mobility in the city. The sector is private but regulated, given its social importance. Regulation is not pleasant for a private company and recently, a lot of reactions from taxi company federations have been launched around the level of fares and possible problems with the profitability of the sector and drivers' living standards. It is also in this context that the current study was released with the objective of understanding the profitability of the taxi sector in Brussels and all the factors involved. One aspect is, of course, pricing, which needed further investigation in this context.
In this project, TML investigated the current fare structure of taxis in the BCR. We mainly looked at the price per taxi ride and studied behavioural changes of taxi users in case of possible price increases and decreases. In addition, we took a closer look at the taxi itself, examining how it can be positioned as a transport mode in its own right versus private cars, buses, trams, and trains.
The Brussels Capital Region (BCR) clearly sees the taxi as a complementary transport mode to public transport and an important component to improve mobility in the city. The sector is private but regulated, given its social importance. Regulation is not pleasant for a private company and recently, a lot of reactions from taxi company federations have been launched around the level of fares and possible problems with the profitability of the sector and drivers' living standards. It is also in this context that the current study was released with the objective of understanding the profitability of the taxi sector in Brussels and all the factors involved. One aspect is, of course, pricing, which needed further investigation in this context.
In this project, TML investigated the current fare structure of taxis in the BCR. We mainly looked at the price per taxi ride and studied behavioural changes of taxi users in case of possible price increases and decreases. In addition, we took a closer look at the taxi itself, examining how it can be positioned as a transport mode in its own right versus private cars, buses, trams, and trains.
