Angry taxi drivers battle Paris police over fare change

[PARIS] Taxi drivers set alight wooden pallets and tyres in central Paris on Monday and police fired tear gas amid nationwide protests against a move to cut their fares for transporting medical cases.

Nearly 1,000 taxis blocked roads in the capital and police said 64 people were arrested. Police fire tear gas at about 250 drivers on foot who tried to break through a security cordon.

Another group tried to break away and head to the prime minister’s offices, but were also stopped.

The protest saw cars clogging a boulevard running from the capital’s Saint-German area and adjacent streets.

Drivers have complained that lower fares for transporting certified ill passengers would cut their revenues by more than a quarter.

The French government, under pressure to rein in soaring health costs, ordered the reform last week that will come into force from October.

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Last year, the subsidised fare system for taxis carrying patients cost France three billion euros (S$4.5 billion).

Taxis in other French cities held go-slow protests, including in Montpellier and Amiens. AFP