In a Novosti press release representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Roads of the Novosibirsk region estimate the proportion of illegal carriers in the regional market in 50% of the taxi.

At a June 9 press conference, Acting Head of the organization of passenger transportation at the Transport Ministry, Andrei Benimetsky stated that the ratio of legal and illegal carriers on the local taxi market is approximately 50 to 50%. According to officials, the federal and regional legislation does not allow to fully remove the illegal carriers from the market. “Now we come to the illegal carriers indirectly, drawing them in for illegal financial activities” Benimetsky said.

According to the Chairman of the Public Council for the development of taxi in the regions, Irina Zaripova, passengers should make sure of safe taxi travel by checking out the licence plate of the vehicle and the relevant transport licences. This check can be done on the website of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, where the register of permits is kept.

• Over 50% illegal taxi drivers in Novosibirsk.