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Angry French taxi drivers battle police over fare changes

More go-slow protests and blockades by taxi drivers were expected across on Tuesday, with at least 6,000 demonstrators expected at the Boulevard Raspail in Paris, as taxi drivers push back against moves to cut their fares for medical transports, RMC reported. Advertisement On Monday, at least 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. READ ALSO What to expect from taxi driver strikes for the rest of the week 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. Taxis in other French cities also held go-slow protests, including in Pau, Montpellier and Amiens. A placard reading "cabs are on their last legs but Bayrou doesn't give a damn" is seen as taxi drivers protests in Pau, south-western France on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Gaizka IROZ / AFP) Drivers have complained that lower fares for transporting people to medical appointments would cut their revenues by more than a quarter. Unions representing taxi drivers had already announced the protests would be 'rolling', meaning they could continue for days. As for what to expect on Tuesday - protests were planned in Toulon and Marseille, as well as other French cities. Advertisement According to Vinci Autoroutes, taxis had been blocking the A50 since around 6am on Tuesday morning, with the Toulon tunnel closed in both directions. As such, motorists have been advised to expect heavy traffic and avoid the area if possible, Ouest France reported. In Pau, taxi drivers were expected to protest near the train station on Tuesday, according to local media reports. Most taxi protests have involved blockades or go-slow campaigns, but in Bordeaux on Monday taxis did not provide medical transport to hospitals (except for dialysis patients). It was unclear if this was set to continue on Tuesday. Why are taxi drivers angry? Taxi unions are locked in a bitter dispute with the French government over changes to the fare structure for medical transport - in which the health service funds taxi rides to hospitals or medical appointments for some patients. READ ALSO Who qualifies for free transport to medical appointments Protesters argue with police officers in Pau, south-western France on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Gaizka IROZ / AFP) Taxi drivers are also unhappy at what they see as the laxer rules and regulations for VTC operators such as Uber. The French government, under pressure to rein in soaring health costs, ordered the reform last week that will come into force from October. Last year, the subsidised fare system for taxis carrying patients cost France €3 billion.