Lines of taxis left their dispatch centers in Tel Aviv, Holon, and Ben Gurion Airport this morning at 7:45 a.m., during rush hour, in a slow procession to the government headquarters in Jerusalem in protest of the proposed change in taxi fares set to begin on January 1st.

According to the organizers of the protest, the new fares will harm their income in a significant manner. On Sunday evening, the protest returned to the airport as dozens of taxis stood at the taxi stand with drivers unwilling to pick up passengers. The drivers added to the chaotic protest by waving signs that read: “The government of Israel is murdering the taxi profession.” Drivers even went so far as to set up burial coffins for their profession that had the words “taxi service” written on them.

According to the new standard issued by the government, cab fares within cities will increase by 12.9% in January, but the cost of a taxi ride between cities will fall by 6.7%. The revised fares will be calculated on a new kind of taxi meter that drivers will be required to install by January.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)