Press release: “Stop ban on honking taxis in city centre? Feeble solution to a big problem”

Stadsdeel Centrum brought out some good news: honking taxis on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and the Oudezijds Achterburgwal will be tackled! Local residents are very bothered by these taxis, which drive around in the evening and night hours in the hope of picking up customers. Fine, you would think. Except that the board has opted for a stop ban to issue. According to GroenLinks Youth Amsterdam, this is firstly ineffective and secondly not desirable.

A traffic ban is unenforceable. Cars have to drive slowly in the city centre anyway and especially late at night when that area is very busy. Does stopping for a moment to look at the GPS qualify as ‘stopping“? Taxis will simply drive around slowly. Besides, the municipality has not decided anything about honking.

In addition, we, GroenLinks Youth, think the administration should go much further. As far as we are concerned, taxis should be banned from the entire city centre, starting with the Red Light District. This will lead to an attractive, safe and clean public space.

Although the decision was well meant is, we don't think it will effective are.

Iris Mayer, president DWARS GroenLinks Youth Amsterdam