Exasperation has finally overtaken patience among road transport professionals. Faced with a continuous and sharp increase in energy costs, employers' organizations are taking a tougher stance against government inaction. The Organization of European Road Hauliers (OTRE) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region denounces an untenable situation in which local companies find themselves at a disadvantage compared to their European neighbors who benefit from more aggressive tax protection measures. This distortion of competition not only weakens cash flow but directly threatens the viability of businesses and the jobs they support.
The protest calendar is accelerating with targeted actions at key points on the motorway network. On Saturday, March 28, the south of Lyon and the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area will host gatherings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Disruptions are expected on the A7 motorway after the Chasse-sur-Rhône bridge, as well as at the strategic junction of the A71 and A89 motorways. This movement will not be isolated, as the organization's Île-de-France branch plans to take over on Monday, March 30, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining constant pressure on public authorities at the beginning of the following week.
The protesters' demands are clear and based on precedents that have already proven effective. They are calling for the immediate implementation of a flat-rate subsidy per vehicle, modeled on the 2022 emergency program, to cover the debts accumulated in recent months. Beyond this safety net, they are demanding a direct and targeted reduction in the price per liter. For industry players, only intervention in taxation or the selling price can stem the bleeding of profit margins, as operating costs reach historic highs that can no longer be fully passed on to end customers.