BER: Why Berlin taxi drivers and guests feel like second-class people!

BER: Why Berlin taxi drivers and guests feel like second-class people!

There is currently a nuisance in Berlin that affects both taxi drivers and passengers. The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is proving to be unfriendly for the capital's citizens Berlin newspaper reported. In particular, the rule that only taxis from the Dahme-Spreewald district (LDS) are allowed to take passengers at the airport is causing frustration. However, Berlin taxis require a special permit to operate at BER, which makes many cheaper short-distance trips difficult.

For Berliners who only want to be transported for short distances like Rudow, it feels as if they are second-class guests, even though they live in close proximity to the airport. This becomes a particular problem in the evenings, when public transport runs less frequently and waiting times for taxis increase. In his article, author Fehmi Ucar proposes a two-part taxi queue: one for long-haul routes and one for short-haul routes, a proven solution that works well at other airports.

Frustration among passengers and taxi drivers

There are currently about the same number of taxis with BER permits in the Dahme-Spreewald district as in Berlin itself Taxi Times reported. The 1:1 regulation in question, which stipulates that a Berliner and an LDS taxi are called alternately at the backup storage, puts the latter at a huge disadvantage. The taxi operators from Dahme-Spreewald have therefore already asked for a change to the regulation, but Berlin associations reject this request.

However, a positive turn could be on the horizon: The people of Brandenburg are planning a test phase to restore the original “First In – First Out” rule. In addition, the time constraints for Berlin taxis could be relaxed during this phase, which would significantly reduce waiting times. After all, the average waiting time for LDS taxis is currently over an hour, which severely affects the attractiveness of the driving services.

Prices and conditions

As far as prices are concerned, there is no fixed tariff for trips to the city center at BER Airport. The starting tariff is 4.30 euros, and the cost per kilometer varies between 2.80 euros and 2.10 euros, depending on the route travelled. The tariff is also similar for taxis from the Dahme-Spreewald district, as they are subject to local transport fees. Given the confusing price situation, this is not necessarily conducive to using taxis from BER.

Passengers should also be prepared to pay a surcharge of 1.50 euros for rides from the airport, and it is recommended to carry cash in euros as not every driver is willing to accept credit card payments. This creates additional stress upon arrival at the airport, while citizens wonder what the hospitality will be like at the new airport.

Overall, it remains to be seen whether the desired changes and suggestions will actually be implemented and whether BER can finally adapt more to the needs of Berlin passengers. The situation at the airport contributes to the dissatisfaction and highlights the need for a fair and functioning transport concept.