By far the most important reason for young people to use a snorder is because it is cheaper than an official taxi.r
A quarter of young people sometimes use an illegal taxi. This is apparent from research by youth organization TeamAlert, commissioned by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). They mainly use these 'snorders' because they are cheaper than official taxis. In addition to risks for passengers, snorders are unfair competitors for legal taxi companies. TeamAlert developed an approach for the ILT to discourage the use of snorders among young people.
In addition to legal taxis, illegal taxis are also active in the Netherlands, including in the nightlife and at events and festivals. These taxis, also known as snorders or black taxis, do not have an official license for taxi transport. Passengers can recognize snorders by a number of characteristics. For example, they do not have a driver card, on-board computer or blue license plate on their car. And usually these illegal drivers offer the taxi rides cheaper than legal taxi drivers.
Risks of illegal taxis
People who allow themselves to be transported by an illegal taxi run various risks. For example, a snorder is not insured when transporting people. Moreover, as a customer, you often do not know who you are getting into and whether the vehicle is safe. Illegal taxis also form unfair competition for legal taxi companies and drivers.
Research: snorder “easy and cheap”
Because TeamAlert has a lot of experience with campaigns for young people when it comes to road safety, the ILT asked them to research the motives among young people to use snorders. The survey, in which 980 young people took part, shows that a quarter of the young people have used an illegal taxi at some point. Most often, the young people arrange a mustache when they return from a night out to the pub or disco. They also often call or text an illegal taxi after a house party or festival visit.
By far the most important reason for young people to use a snorder is because it is cheaper than an official taxi. In addition, according to the respondents, snorders are easy to reach and they drive anytime and anywhere. The study also showed that young people are reasonably aware of the dangers of snorders. However, according to them, this does not outweigh the costs and convenience of an illegal taxi.
Fix your ride
In addition, at the request of the ILT, TeamAlert has developed an approach to make young people aware of the risks and to discourage use. With the 'Fix your ride' project, TeamAlert enters into a dialogue with young people at festivals about snorders, on the basis of a knowledge quiz and playful dilemmas about this theme. This challenges young people to consciously think about how to get home safely after a night out. 'Fix your ride' will be used for the first time at the Introfestival in Den Bosch on Thursday 1 September.
Another way to tackle the problem
With this approach, the ILT has opted for an alternative way of promoting compliance with the rules for taxi transport. In addition, the Inspectorate wants to increase users' awareness about the risks of illegal taxi transport. In addition to enforcement on the provision and provision of illegal taxi transport, the ILT is also targeting (potential) users of snorders with this collaboration with TeamAlert.
