In Riga on Monday, the protest car rally of taxi drivers against the policies implemented by the "Bolt" platform took place without incidents, the State Police reported to the LETA agency.
According to police estimates, about 220 drivers participated in the event.
It was previously reported that on this day several hundred taxi drivers embarked on a protest car rally against the policies of "Bolt."
Protests by taxi drivers also took place in Daugavpils and Jelgava on Monday.
READ MORE: "We are not slaves": hundreds of taxi drivers protest in Riga (photo)
Organizations note that the protest is being held because the government has not fulfilled the ultimatum put forward by the industry and has not taken real steps to limit the monopoly position of the "Bolt" platform.
The goal of the protest is to oppose the use of a monopoly position by one platform.
Industry organizations advocate for a fair and predictable taxi transportation sector that would promote healthy competition and the entry of new participants into the market, rather than destroying existing local entrepreneurs. Industry representatives claim that their priority is also the interests of consumers — the cost of a trip should be transparent and justified, avoiding situations where the same route can unjustifiably cost both 10 and 20 euros due to arbitrarily applied "Bolt" coefficients. The organizations demand an end to price manipulations that distort the market and mislead residents.
The organizers also point out that the promises of the Ministry of Transport to limit the influence of "Bolt" and set a commission cap at 15% have remained on paper, despite warnings from the industry, which proposed four years ago to introduce a unified tariff so that consumers would always know how much a trip costs.
The organizers emphasize that the tax exemption provided by the government has not yielded results — fuel prices have risen, and there is still no rescue plan for the industry.
Organizations note that the current situation in the passenger transport sector creates serious market distortions, as digital platforms can set prices independently and simultaneously keep records without effective external control, creating opacity and risks of data manipulation. At the same time, the model of predatory pricing, not based on industry principles, threatens fair competition and the sustainability of the sector, pushing out local businesses.
The protest was organized by the Taxi Transport Employers' Organization (TPNDDO), the Latvian Passenger Taxi Employers' Organization (LVTNDDO), the Association for the Development of Licensed Commercial Passenger Carriers (LPKAA), and the Latvian Trade Union of Public Services and Transport Workers (LAKRS).
