The project team still expects the system to be technically ready by July 1, 2024.
In Utrecht, involved parties came together for an important evaluation of the Central Taxi Database Practical Test (CDT). Under the leadership of project leader Henri van der Heijden, we not only looked back on the progress of the project, but also looked ahead at the challenges and changes that are still planned.
The CDT, a crucial part of the proposed legislation and regulations in the taxi sector, is intended to make passenger transport more efficient and transparent. However, the new regulations, which were originally scheduled to enter into force on July 1, 2024, have suffered a legal delay. Van der Heijden announced that the new date for entry into force has been postponed to January 1, 2025 at the earliest.
"As the messenger of the message, I must tell you where we stand and where we are now in the legislative process. I can report that it has now been decided to adjust the planning of the legislative process, no, it has been adjusted, I must say."
The reasons for this delay are multifaceted. Firstly, the introduction of the new system requires major adjustments to the Passenger Transport Decree 2000 and the introduction of a new ministerial regulation for the central taxi transport database. In addition, legal review plays an important role in the delay. The integration of the central database with the existing systems entails significant privacy risks, which must be in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
These privacy concerns have led to a thorough assessment of the risks and the need for comprehensive Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). One of these DPIAs has already been completed, while another is still in progress. The findings from these assessments and the different interpretations of privacy risks by involved parties have made it clear that more time is needed to carefully address these issues.
Another factor contributing to the delay is the feedback from the informal consultation with the sector. The sector emphasizes the need to bring together both the content and implementation details of the new regulations in order to form a complete picture and make well-informed decisions. The extra time now taken also offers the opportunity to integrate the findings from the recent practical test. This test has provided important insights into the impact of the new regulations on the affordability of ICT solutions in the taxi sector.
Investments
When planning large-scale legislative changes such as these, it is essential to consider the impact on entrepreneurs' business operations. Legal and privacy aspects are of great importance and are carefully considered. At the same time, ICT service providers from the sector point out the practical consequences that this delay has for the market.
The extension of the implementation deadline has direct consequences for entrepreneurs in the taxi sector. Investments in electric vehicles and the necessary equipment that must be installed in them require significant financial resources. A period of six months could still be bridged, but a delay of one year puts the sector in a difficult position. There are no tolerance structures, but it is always an option. Otherwise, the extension could have significant consequences for the investment climate in the market, because everyone will wait.
"We now want to investigate whether we can use the extra time that will arise because the legislation and regulations will take a little longer. We still expect to have the system ready by July 1. We want to take advantage of that fact. to investigate whether we can use the second half of this year to carry out another practical test and perhaps even continue on the basis of voluntary transfer of taxi transport data and therefore also personal data. We could then run a pilot based on of voluntariness. The willingness is there, but I cannot give any guarantees."
The delay in the introduction of the new legislation is seen not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity to ensure careful and considered implementation. The taxi sector is facing an important transition, and the extra time ensures that this transition can take place in a responsible manner.
2G network
The postponement of the new regulations for the Central Database Taxi (CDT) brings with it an additional and urgent problem that was raised during the meeting in Utrecht. The older generations of the On-board Computer Taxi (BCT), which use the 2G network, are about to become functionally obsolete. Telecom operators plan to dismantle 2G masts, which will inevitably lead to these devices becoming unusable. This affects more than 10.000 aircraft in the taxi sector.
Henri suggests addressing this topic in the next supervisory committee for computer taxi. An indication of the need for a strategic approach to meet this challenge. It is important that all parties involved come together to discuss the implications of the phasing out of the 2G network and to develop a joint action plan.
"I am very happy with your input where you see objections and where you see opportunities, so please continue to communicate this with us."
Among those present was interim director Walter van Benthem, a veteran in the world of information technology, who, with his experience as Chief Information Officer at I-interim Rijk, took a critical but optimistic look at the progress of the project. His words were a mixture of praise and realism, an acknowledgment of the complexity that collaboration entails. “Yes, it's actually just great. What you have done together here and I can really be proud of that.” Van Benthem said during the meeting.
Van Benthem, known for his pragmatism and clear vision on public-private partnerships, emphasized the importance of predictability from the government and the added value of collaborations that benefit both the market and society. The project team, under his watchful eye, had laid a foundation for practical application that seemed not only feasible, but also affordable.
The CDT Practice Test, an initiative that requires both technological innovation and legal precision, has provided valuable insights, especially in the areas of performance and affordability, according to van Benthem. However, he warned to remain cautious, especially when it comes to the protection of personal data – an aspect that can boomerang back if careless.
Van Benthem's presence and speech were not only a boost for the project team, but also a reminder of the continued responsibility that the government bears in such critical undertakings. His closing words were recognition of the team's hard work and encouragement for the future steps that still need to be taken.
This meeting, a crossroads of technical expertise, legal care and the human factor, underlines the importance of innovation in the service of a better functioning society. The taxi sector is eagerly awaiting the next phases of the CDT project, with the ambition to deliver a working system by July 2024 already a source of discussion within and outside the sector.
