The price of a Yandex Taxi ride could rise because there aren’t enough drivers. This point was discussed by Anton Petrakov at the Eastern Economic Forum, highlighting how labor gaps can push fares higher during peak times and toward year-end, when demand typically spikes.
Petrakov estimates a shortfall of about 130,000 taxi drivers in Russia by year’s end. With fewer drivers available, trips may become pricier, potentially increasing by tens of percent, especially during rush hours and busy seasons when the market tightens the most.
Yandex Taxi officials point to a broader trend: a dwindling driver pool caused in part by stricter migration rules and tighter regulation of taxi operations. As income opportunities shift and costs rise, many drivers seek work in other sectors or locations that offer comparable pay but lower expenses and less administrative burden.
To improve the situation, Petrakov argues that the company must go beyond merely offering higher earnings. It is essential to attract talent by competing with other industries for workers and creating compelling value that goes beyond wages, such as stable scheduling, support services, and clearer work conditions.
“We need to add value for drivers and help them contribute to taxes in a straightforward way,” said a Yandex Taxi representative, underscoring the need for a sustainable, transparent framework that benefits both drivers and the platform.
At the end of August, Maxim Kadakov, an auto expert and editor-in-chief of the magazine Behind the Wheel, noted that several Russian taxi companies face driver shortages of up to 30 percent. He warned that the problem could worsen as new rules for taxi drivers take effect, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the near term.
Industry observers have also pointed out a broader trend: only a portion of taxi drivers work within the legal framework. Analysts suggest that formalizing more driver positions and improving regulatory clarity could help reduce the share of informal employment while stabilizing service levels for riders.