Taxi drivers took to the streets — what will change after the protest 0 16

The President of the Latvian Employers' Organization for the Taxi Industry, Alexey Ignatiev, expressed cautious optimism, noting that the ministry has become more active in communication since the moment when four industry organizations announced the upcoming protest action. The event was also organized by the Association for the Development of Licensed Commercial Passenger Carriers, the Employers' Organization of the Taxi Transport Industry, and the LAKRS union.

Although the dissatisfaction of carriers with the situation has been prolonged, the rise in fuel prices has exacerbated it.

"We are no longer willing to subsidize the excessive profits of gas stations and the greed of the 'Bolt' platform from our own pockets. While officials in their offices and meetings are 'monitoring the situation,' real life on the streets has turned into a survival game," said Ella Petrova, Chairwoman of the Association for the Development of Licensed Commercial Passenger Carriers.

After the protest, she emphasized that carriers firmly insist on the development of a new regulatory law for the industry, as they believe there is no point in amending the existing one, the norms of which do not work in practice.

"The government turns a blind eye to the actions of the monopolist. I showed the State Revenue Service the 'Bolt' invoices that include value-added tax, but 'Bolt' does not pay it," Petrova said.

She promised to continue the fight, including involving the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption. About 300 taxi drivers participated in the protest in Riga, while nearly 1,000 drivers were inactive on the 'Bolt' platform. According to Petrova, the day after the protest, 'Bolt' offered discounts that turned out to be unprofitable for drivers.

Ignatiev noted that the activity of the protest organizers prompted the Ministry of Transport to take action — even before the protest, it began signaling that carriers were being heard.