Since September 1, customers are no longer obliged to take the first taxi in the queue. They are able to select the car of their choosing, so there should be fewer surprises when taking a taxi in Luxembourg. The taxi reform in the Grand Duchy came into force at the beginning of September.
Among the main improvements in the reform, which was outlined by Infrastructure Minister François Bausch at the beginning of July, is a section requiring all taxis to display their rates, be they flat fees for a specific journey or rate per kilometre. This will enable customers to know in advance what will be the fee for a journey. There is now one basic per kilometre rate for all taxi drivers. Drivers may, however, apply an increase for out of hours (between 10pm and 6am) and weekend work.
Taxis will still be required to use taximeters, which must be checked once a year by the National Society for motor traffic (SNCA). Customers can now select the taxi of their choosing. They can also hail a taxi in the street provided it is no further than 50 metres from an authorised taxi rank.
In future, taxi licences will be managed by Luxembourg’s Sustainable Development Ministry and not by the respective communes. They will be spread across six geographical areas instead of 44. Only licensed taxis will be able to park in places reserved for taxis in their respective area. The six areas are: Luxembourg (290 licences), Capellen and Esch-sur-Alzette (140 licences), Mersch and Redange (30 licences), Echternach, Grevenmacher and Remich (25 licences), Diekirch and Wiltz (50 licences) and Clervaux and Vianden (15 licences).
The Luxembourg state will issue 550 licences (instead of 520) and each year will distribute 20 ‘zero emission-licences to encourage sustainable mobility in the taxi industry. Cars to be used as taxis, should not emit more than 130g of CO2/km, under the new law.
The new law will be upheld by Luxembourg Police and Customs.
