How Big A Problem Is Ban on Taxis and Minibuses at Geneva Airport?
How Big A Problem Is Ban on Taxis and Minibuses at Geneva Airport?
Published : 02-Dec-2013 07:38
A ban on taxis and minibuses 'illegally' using Geneva Airport is the second apparent attack on incoming skiers, principally from the UK, but from any other country too, in a few short months from the Swiss authorities.
Already fighting Switzerland's reputation for high overall cost following the booming value of the Swiss Franc after the 2008 economic crash, the latest headlines are probably the last thing those responsible for promoting ski tourism to Switzerland need.
The ban on taxis and minibuses has complex roots and the current situation is complicated too. The short version appears to be that Swiss taxi drivers feel they have been losing out to French and British companies running transfers and so various legal attempts have been made to limit the numbers – by adding fees both for the taxi/transfer companies and requiring hard-to-obtain certification for drivers.
Initial attempts by the Swiss authorities were declared illegal and high level 'intensive discussions;' are said to be going on between the French and Swiss governments over the issue. One option is too pick up on the French side of Geneva airport, but this has limited facilities.
The law is due to come in to force in the new year and will especially hit French taxi operators and British run transfer companies.
However it should be stressed that tour operator buses are not affected, only smaller vehicles such as taxis and mini-busses.
"It's against the European transport law and Geneva airport is against it," one tour operator told J2ski news, "That means, to put it simply, the Swiss authorities will have to back down sooner or later otherwise they'll have a court case coming. But we are all very cautious and see what will happen."
The Geneva Airport issue comes a few months after the Swiss authorities ruled that all staff working in foreign owned chalets should be paid the Swiss minimum wage, which is far higher than the normal package of perks including accommodation, skiing, food and living allowance many chalet staff receive and, some chalet operators warned, would mean they'd need to raise fees for holidaymakers making Swiss chalet holidays even less affordable.
Again that new legislation is currently being 'discussed at a high level' according to Swiss tourism officials.
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