Luxembourg's Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure has issued a statement on the future taxi reform that will come into force across the Grand Duchy from 1 September 2016.

The main points include the following:

Customers

Flat rates can now be operated by taxi drivers in Luxembourg. Taxi operators must display the rates visibly on the outside and inside of their cars. However, the use of the taximeter is compulsory. Customers may asked if the taxi is implementing a standard rate per kilometer which varies according to different times, or if the taxi applies one-way and return fixed tariffs.

Also, taxi operators must move their vehicles to the top of a taxi rank queue; however, customers are not obliged to take the taxi at the head of the queue and may choose any taxi in the queue.

Pick-Ups

Pick-ups of passengers can take place either on a parking space in the geographical area of validity of the license, or for a customer sign at least 50 metres from a taxi rank, or anywhere when ordered by phone or in writing. The place of disembarkment of passengers can be anywhere.

Complaints

Customers can make complaints online at Www.infotaxi.lu, or via tel: 247-74444 (08:30-12:00, 13:30-16:30) or email: complaint@infotaxi.lu.

Conformity of Taxis

During the period 1 September 2016 until 28 February 2017 incluive, a transitional period will operate, enabling all taxi operators to be 100% compliant and conform to the new regulations by the end of that period. New taxi plates will be mandatory from 1 March 2017, showing the geographical zone in which the new licence has been issued, with new such taxis not being subject to the same registration requirements as other taxis until now. These new taxi plates will be in the form of windscreen "vignette" or a metal plate at the front of the vehicle, such as used for airport taxis until now.

Taxi Operators and Taxi Drivers

As regards the operator and the driver, the entry into force of the Law of 5 July 2016 on the organisation of taxi services will be from 1 September 2016. Zero emmissions taxis may be ordered online from 09:00. Full details regarding the new taxi regulations and applications are available at www.guichet.lu and www.infotaxi.lu. Drivers are reminded to visibly wear their driver card receipts and operators are reminded that they need to comply with new regulatory requirements within the time prescribed by law.