"We Are Not Slaves": Hundreds of Taxi Drivers Protest in Riga (photos) 0 23

Drivers attached Latvian flags to their cars and displayed various posters with slogans such as "We are not slaves", "24 hours without 'Bolt'", "Without us, you cannot", "Stop milking us", and other slogans. The crossed-out 'Bolt' logo is also visible on several vehicles.

Taxi drivers' protests are also taking place on Monday in Daugavpils and Jelgava.

The planned protest motorcade in Riga, accompanied by the police, will last until 11:00, and a press conference and rally are scheduled until 14:00.

Route: Zakusala Promenade — Island Bridge — Krasta Street — General Radzins' Promenade — Karlis Milenbahs Street — Emīlija Benjamiņa Street (Ministry of Transport) — January 13 Street — Stone Bridge — Mukusalas Street (Bolt Operations administration building) — Mukusalas Circle — Island Bridge — back to Zakusala.

In Jelgava, there are no traffic restrictions due to the protest; however, the Riga City Council reported that significant traffic restrictions will be implemented on several central streets and bridges during the action.

Until 11:00, traffic will be regulated and, if necessary, closed on the route and adjacent streets. Public transport may also be restricted or temporarily halted if necessary.

Restrictions will also affect all streets crossing the route, so serious traffic difficulties are possible in the center of Riga and Pardaugava on Monday morning and early afternoon.

The local government urges drivers to plan their trips in advance, choose alternative routes, and allow significantly more time for travel.

To discuss industry issues, the organizers invited the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Welfare, the Competition Council, the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption, and 'Bolt Operations'.

Organizations note that the protest is being held because the government did not fulfill the ultimatum put forward by the industry and did not take 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 assert 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 costs arbitrarily 10 and 20 euros due to the coefficients applied by 'Bolt'. Organizations demand an end to price manipulations that distort the market and mislead residents.

The organizers also point out that the promises made by the Ministry of Transport to limit the influence of 'Bolt' and establish a commission cap at 15% remain 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 passenger transport 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 is organized by the Taxi Transportation Employers' Organization (TPNDDO), the Latvian Passenger Taxi Employers' Organization (LVTNDDO), the Licensed Commercial Passenger Carriers Development Association (LPKAA), and the Latvian Trade Union of Public Services and Transport Workers (LAKRS).