Brussels taxi drivers turn down fares

Hailing a taxi this week in Brussels will be harder than usual. Until Thursday this week, up to 200 affiliated drivers with three Brussels taxi associations will take strike action every morning. Passengers will be left short of cabs between 8 and 11 as drivers are refusing to pick up passengers from Brussels South Station.

The labour action comes from a decision to make taxi metres compulsory in an effort to curb fraud. If implemented, drivers will be forced to shell out 3,000 euros for the device.

In response, the region has agreed to cover 1,000 euros of the cost, and in addition will reduce the tax on taxi operators by 350 euros a year. 

The taxi associations want the region to pick up the entire tab rather than drivers having to foot the bill.