Doubs. Roadblock on the A36: "The situation is critical," warn taxi drivers mobilized for their work and access to healthcare.

"We're defending our livelihood, but it's also a major societal problem regarding access to healthcare," emphasizes Thomas Pingitore, from Belfort. This Friday morning, as the sun struggles to reach the Saint-Maurice-Colombier toll station (Doubs), "Taxi Thomas" is at a standstill with 80 of his colleagues. Not all from the same department, nor from the same federation. But all with the same determination to make their problems heard. Namely, the Health Insurance project that establishes a single model for the transport of patients by approved drivers .

"This pricing change will result in a 40% drop in our turnover, resulting in losses of money and jobs, and causing business closures. For some, patient transport represents 95% to 100% of their business," explains the Belfort resident.

Not far from him, Didier Bonot can only confirm this. A former security guard at Stellantis, he retrained in transport six years ago, at Taxi Manu, in Pont-de-Roide-Vermondans. "Employers won't be able to cope. With the charges and expenses, it won't work anymore. It's a critical situation," explains the fifty-year-old who distributes leaflets to motorists crossing the Doubs toll .

"We also advocate for personal service. Patient transportation involves accompanying patients from their homes to the hospital, providing a sense of connection. It's a wonderful profession, much more than just a taxi."

Many point to the risk of service deterioration. "For those who can continue, it will have an impact on their work. It's sad for the people being cared for and for our society," continues Taxi Thomas. "Many rural areas will no longer have access to this service. If it's for someone who has one appointment a year, they can make arrangements with their family. But in the context of treatment, regular appointments, how will they manage?"

When it comes to grouping patients together to transport two or three people, professionals are doubling down on examples: "If a medical appointment is delayed, what do the other patients do? Do they wait in the vehicle while I go get the third patient? What business owner or craftsman would leave a client alone in their office or van? I have patients who have to empty their pockets every two hours. What will we do when they have to wait?"

Amidst the pressure of the French Taxi Federation, professionals are proposing to "act responsibly" and increase their fare for each trip by one euro. This is because they make 42 million trips a year.