As the war in Ukraine has forced thousands of truck drivers who normally work in Germany to return home to defend the country, the Bavarian economy ministry has enlisted the help of the taxi industry, according to Taxi Times.

According to the trade magazine Passenger Transport, it sounds paradoxical at first: ironically, a sector that itself is struggling with a huge shortage of drivers should temporarily transfer some of its drivers to the freight transport sector. But because this is a short-term bridging process, both sides can benefit.

Germany is short of several thousand drivers – men of Ukrainian descent who had to give up their jobs as truck drivers in Germany. This means that even 'system-relevant' journeys can no longer be carried out without problems, and that has serious consequences for the supply of supermarkets or petrol stations, for example.

“The taxi industry could help provide people with the basic services they need and would also relieve itself,” said Gregor Beiner of the Bavarian Taxi Association (TVB). “It concerns taxi companies that temporarily make their drivers, who have a truck driving license, available to freight carriers who carry out important deliveries.” The drivers remain employed by the taxi company, but earn more than in the taxi industry. In addition, the employer in the taxi sector is also compensated for lost turnover. At the moment, together with the ministry, we are looking at how this unbureaucratic legal framework can be presented and sealed.

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