There is an acute shortage of taxi drivers in Sweden. The Swedish Taxi Association is now proposing several changes to make things easier for the industry.

The Swedish Taxi Association assesses the situation as so urgent that it will make it more difficult to restart when the pandemic has slowed down and the taxi industry returns to more normal operations. 

”"In order for the industry to be able to guarantee accessibility to necessary social functions such as taxis, school transport, medical transport and mobility services, companies must have the opportunity to recruit drivers," the industry organization writes in a press release.

According to the Swedish Taxi Association, the driver shortage is not only due to a lack of job seekers, but also because the applicants do not have the necessary qualifications. The industry organization proposes, among other things, that the driving license loans that were introduced a couple of years ago be extended to also apply to taxi driver tests and that the number of test opportunities be increased.

At the same time, the Swedish Taxi Association believes that measures are needed to give taxi companies the financial opportunity to actually hire more people. 

”"Many taxi companies have seen their turnover decrease during the pandemic, which has led to many now lacking financial space to hire new drivers. The issue of deferred employer contributions is therefore particularly relevant to solving the overall problems within the industry," the industry organization states.

It also warns that the Swedish Transport Agency's proposal to increase fees as of January 1, 2022 could have negative consequences.

”"Supervision and permit fees are part of the companies' fixed costs and if they are increased significantly, it risks leading to the companies being unable to survive.".

Source.di.se