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Taxi and rail strikes hit European cities Taxi and rail strikes hit European cities
(about 2 hours later)
Transport in major European cities has been disrupted by twin strikes, affecting taxis and rail services.Transport in major European cities has been disrupted by twin strikes, affecting taxis and rail services.
Two-thirds of trains were not running in some areas of France in a strike against reforms and taxis were blocking traffic around some airports.Two-thirds of trains were not running in some areas of France in a strike against reforms and taxis were blocking traffic around some airports.
Cab-drivers are protesting at what they regard as a lack of regulation of rival mobile service Uber.Cab-drivers are protesting at what they regard as a lack of regulation of rival mobile service Uber.
A protest began in Madrid early on Wednesday and action was to take place in London, Milan and other cities.A protest began in Madrid early on Wednesday and action was to take place in London, Milan and other cities.
The biggest taxi associations in the Spanish capital asked their drivers to observe a 24-hour stoppage until 06:00 on Thursday morning. More than 15,000 licensed vehicles operate in Madrid, Spanish media say.The biggest taxi associations in the Spanish capital asked their drivers to observe a 24-hour stoppage until 06:00 on Thursday morning. More than 15,000 licensed vehicles operate in Madrid, Spanish media say.
Trafalgar SquareTrafalgar Square
The London protest was to start in Trafalgar Square at 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT), with taxi drivers arguing that the Uber mobile app, which originated in the US, was tantamount to a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use in London.The London protest was to start in Trafalgar Square at 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT), with taxi drivers arguing that the Uber mobile app, which originated in the US, was tantamount to a taxi meter, which only black cabs are legally entitled to use in London.
Up to 12,000 drivers are expected to take part in the protest.Up to 12,000 drivers are expected to take part in the protest.
The Metropolitan Police said conditions had been imposed on protesters after they failed to meet with officers to discuss their plans.The Metropolitan Police said conditions had been imposed on protesters after they failed to meet with officers to discuss their plans.
In Milan, in northern Italy, a protest was taking place throughout Wednesday, although disruption was not expected to be on a similar scale as elsewhere, with boycotts expected of key sites such as railway stations and squares. In Milan, in northern Italy, a protest was taking place throughout Wednesday, although disruption was not expected to be on a similar scale as elsewhere, with boycotts expected of key sites such as railway stations and squares. Cab drivers also staged demonstrations in Rome and Naples.
Protests are also taking place in several German cities, including Berlin and Hamburg. Protests were taking place in several German cities, including Berlin and Hamburg.
But the worst of the disruption was in Paris, where train services were also badly affected by strike action.But the worst of the disruption was in Paris, where train services were also badly affected by strike action.
Only one in three trains were running in the Paris region, although Eurostar services were unaffected.Only one in three trains were running in the Paris region, although Eurostar services were unaffected.
Unions are objecting to plans to merge the rail network operator with the train company SNCF. The company said some 28% of railway staff had walked out.Unions are objecting to plans to merge the rail network operator with the train company SNCF. The company said some 28% of railway staff had walked out.
Workers were also considering whether to extend the strike into Thursday. Several regions had voted to continue the stoppage, French media reported.Workers were also considering whether to extend the strike into Thursday. Several regions had voted to continue the stoppage, French media reported.