During a roundtable at the Moscow Public Chamber, the Transport Commission examined the draft law titled On the regulation of transport by passenger taxis. Experts described the document as a balanced compromise that aligns the interests of all market participants and urged its swift passage into law.
Work on regulating the taxi market began in 2015, as analysts argued that balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders while avoiding overregulation was a delicate task. Participants noted that the current draft had reached a mature stage, with its first reading in the State Duma completed in early July, signaling strong momentum for adoption.
Key proposals in the draft highlight a shift toward allowing self-employed drivers to offer passenger taxi services provided they enter into an agreement with a designated collector. Proponents argue this framework would dramatically cut bureaucratic delays that affect drivers and their ability to work efficiently.
The bill also aims to raise travel safety standards. Under the plan, self-employed drivers would operate only when partnered with collectors, meet established driver qualifications, and use vehicles listed in the national taxi vehicle register.
Additional reforms forecasted by the draft include a clear delineation of the rights and duties of those who order services, commonly referred to as collectors, and the creation of unified nationwide registers to streamline oversight.
Roundtable participants acknowledged that some provisions still require clarification. In particular, there were questions about how taxi licenses would be issued to self-employed drivers and how the enforcement mechanism would function. The operators also noted that the document includes devices intended to monitor driver fatigue but stops short of detailing the precise requirements for those devices.
During discussions, Bohdan Konoshenko, head of the MCCI Transport Services Development Committee, emphasized that meeting fatigue monitoring requirements should not impose extra costs on carriers in the current economic climate. He urged careful consideration of cost impacts while aiming to enhance road safety.
Another point suggested by attendees was a clearer rule set for carrier liability, including the introduction of carrier insurance comparable to that in other transportation sectors. Such coverage would align responsibilities with international best practices and strengthen consumer protection.
Overall, participants expressed broad support for the bill as a solid foundation for reform, while also recognizing opportunities to refine specific provisions as negotiations proceed. Subsequent discussions are expected to focus on how best to implement licenses, oversight mechanisms, and safety requirements without disrupting service availability. The dialogue remains live, with stakeholders pledging ongoing collaboration to finalize a policy framework that supports safe, efficient taxi services across the country.