The Belgian Taxi Federation (FeBet) organised a protest on Thursday afternoon in Brussels near Midi train station.
Dozens of taxis gathered in front of the station from 13:00. Shortly after, some drivers, armed with brushes and yellow paint, headed to Rue de France where their dedicated spaces had been removed several months ago. They painted the word "taxi" and marked out parking spaces.
"The sector is not being heard," said FeBet President Khalid Ed-Denguir. "Recently, we lost spaces on Rue de France, near a station exit, to a multinational transport company, Flibco, which fears competition. There has been a lack of consultation and consideration from Brussels Mobility."
Comparing Brussels to other capitals, the federation highlighted an "inconsistency." "In all major cities, taxis are right outside airports or train stations. In Brussels, despite Midi station being international, our spaces have been taken away due to supposed construction," emphasised Ed-Denguir.
FeBet is also requesting the addition of "taxi" signage on dedicated lanes on Avenue du Port, making them accessible to taxi drivers.
The taxi procession then moved towards the Saint-Gilles town hall and the offices of Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort and Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt.
