Russian lawmakers from the State Duma, Alexey Govyrin and Vitaly Milonov, proposed a cap on taxi fare surges during poor weather. The plan, reported by RIA Novosti, aims to keep rides affordable for passengers while ensuring drivers do not face steep losses when snow or rain hits the streets. Govyrin suggested setting a ceiling so that dynamic pricing during harsh weather would not exceed 20 percent above the standard fare under normal conditions. The goal is to keep prices predictable for consumers and to protect drivers from sudden, unsustainable increases, especially in adverse weather scenarios. (RIA Novosti)
In a related line of thought, Milonov emphasized a safety net concept: a trip covering about ten kilometers should not exceed a defined threshold price, even when meteorological conditions worsen. He indicated that this mechanism would require formal legal adjustments to align with existing regulations and market practices. (RIA Novosti)
Earlier discussions saw the Federation Council weighing in on a broader approach to regulate taxi pricing, particularly if regions introduce localization requirements for taxi fleets. The proposal suggests that if regional rules push for higher localization levels, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade should actively monitor car prices. The aim would be to prevent supplier price disputes and to streamline the sale of vehicles directly from manufacturers or businesses, minimizing dealer and intermediary fees, while ensuring the legitimacy and transparency of transactions through the oversight of the antimonopoly authority. (RIA Novosti)
There were prior statements indicating that the State Duma intends to revise the framework for dynamic taxi tariffs, potentially broadening the set of conditions under which surge pricing can be applied and rebalancing the interests of riders and drivers alike. (RIA Novosti)