Independent taxi drivers at Schiphol Airport say new regulations are making it increasingly difficult to earn a living. While a planned strike was cancelled last week, drivers are once again considering walking off the job.
The dispute centers on how taxi spaces outside Schiphol Plaza are allocated. There are 14 spots in total, with eight assigned to contracted taxi firms and six to independent drivers.
Previously, when a contracted spot became empty, any driver could step in and take it. Schiphol recently changed the rule so that only contracted drivers may fill those vacant spaces.
Long Waits in the Buffer Zone
Schiphol holds contracts with four official operators: Schiphol Taxi, TCA Schiphol, Noot, and Schiphol Service. Drivers for these firms pay a substantial annual fee to operate exclusively at the airport.
Non-contracted drivers instead pay around 5 euros per trip to pick up passengers. They wait in a designated buffer zone, taking a ticket and waiting in long queues before being called forward.
Many independent drivers report waiting six to eight hours just to secure a single fare. Some leave the buffer zone temporarily to take fares in Amsterdam, but say local work is also declining.
Competition and Rising Pressure
Schiphol stated that the rule change affects only about 2 percent of total rides. The airport maintains that it prioritizes contracted partners to ensure reliability and strictly enforce the 8-to-6 stand split.
Drivers also point to growing competition from app-based ride services like Uber and Bolt. Travelers increasingly book these services at Schiphol, making it harder for traditional drivers with higher operational costs to compete.
Frustration among independent drivers remains high. Several drivers say the prolonged waits make it impossible to earn a living, leaving strike action on the table.
