From September 2024, taxi drivers are required to carry a compulsory carrier liability insurance policy, known as OSGOP. Yet a number of self-employed taxi operators may opt against purchasing a taxi license to save money and could continue to work illegally, according to Irina Zaripova, head of the Public Council for Taxi Development, speaking with socialbites.ca.
She notes a crisis of trust between insurers and the taxi sector. The erosion began when the market refused to issue MTPL policies for passenger taxis, followed by sharp increases in policy costs. The introduction of additional insurance for carriers has further strained relations with insurers, pushing many taxi firms and independent drivers to consider operating in the informal sector. Tariff ranges for the OSGOP policy start around 1.3 thousand rubles, but some insurers have already set prices as high as 3.5 thousand rubles for taxis, Zaripova observed.
The consequence could be a surge in cheaper, unregulated taxi options advertised through chat apps and well-known messaging channels. In such cases, passenger safety cannot be guaranteed, she warned.
On September 1, a law mandating compulsory carrier liability insurance will take effect in Russia. Taxi drivers will be eligible for a policy if they hold a work permit and a daily technical inspection note. Nevertheless, a large share of drivers, roughly 75 percent, has not yet completed the required documents to operate under the new framework. The market is already feeling strains as operators adjust to the new regulatory environment, with some regions reporting delays in compliance and ongoing conversations about policy availability and affordability. Overall, the taxi workforce is responding to the evolving rules, and observers are noting a growing shortage of licensed drivers in certain areas, which may influence service levels and pricing in the months ahead.