Will unified taxi become reality?

Baku/07.10.22/Turan: Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Javid Gurbanov said that there is a project to create a unified taxi service.

According to him, the Minister is engaged in this: “It will be better if the metro, bus, taxis are the same.”

The creation of the unified taxi system was proposed by the Baku Transport Agency (BNA) back in 2017. It was noted that in connection with the taxi problem in Baku, there is confusion, and a unified taxi system is needed to correct this situation.

Also in 2020, the Baku Transport Agency (BTA) introduced a concept governing taxis. The concept reflected issues arising from the creation of a unified dispatch center, the introduction of a tariff system and quotas, as well as the improvement of business activities. A flat rate has been proposed.

MP Azer Badamov told Turan that it would be better to create a unified taxi service if the norms and requirements for the taxi service are defined. "Because there is no control over cars that operate as a taxi service, there is no one to ask the driver if their technical condition is up to standard. Therefore, unpleasant situations very often happen in a taxi service."

According to him, it is necessary to develop appropriate standards regarding the health of a person who drives a taxi, as well as keeping his car clean. "It's also important to install a taximeter in taxis."

At the same time, the deputy believes that if there is a unified taxi service, this will negatively affect the preservation of the competitive environment.

The Baku Transport Agency Turan reported that 95 percent of those who work as taxis in Baku are engaged in illegal passenger transportation. "None of them is a taxi driver in the classical sense. As for taxis, there are norms and rules approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 73. And these "taxi" do not meet established standards, nor have a distinction, but they function."

The agency noted that it is necessary to approve discipline in this area.

Afiaddin Mammadov, chief coordinator of the Desk Trade Union Coalition, told "Radio Azadlyg" that state intervention in the private sector in this form is undesirable. “This intervention will not solve the problems of taxi drivers; instead, it will create more serious problems, including becoming a source of corruption.”

He believes that the state should regulate problems by law. "We are also developing an alternative bill to address these issues."

The coordinator of the organization noted that companies, when hiring a driver, oblige him to register as an individual entrepreneur and conclude a service agreement with him. “This is contrary to the law. According to Article 7 of the Labor Code, if the work performed is related to the main field of activity of the employer, then registration of labor activity by an employment contract is not allowed. This means that a company engaged in passenger transportation must conclude an employment contract with drivers.”

Mammadov believes that it is necessary to fill in the gaps in the legislation. “Given that today one of the main problems of taxi drivers is related to prices, it is possible to make some adjustments or set minimum rates,” he said.

He noted that this should be performed on the basis of discussions, and not only state structures, but also trade unions should participate in the discussions. “This way, government agencies can learn about the problems of taxi drivers from themselves.”

Economist Rashad Hasanov told Radio Azadlyg that today it is likely that a taxi service called the Unified Taxi Service will be developed as a part of the state program. "If the project implies this, then this is a completely wrong approach. Because taxis are one of the few areas of our activity where there is relatively high competition, and against the background of this competitiveness, prices are also optimized. And this is relatively suitable for an Azerbaijani citizen who has little purchasing power.

The expert noted that today's relations in the taxi industry are limited, so this will ultimately lead to a decrease in the quality of services. “Because when there is competition, the quality of service increases. Under such conditions, taking control over the implementation of the Unified Taxi Service project by the government and ensuring the transition to uniform tariffs will ultimately lead both to a decrease in the quality of services and a decrease in price affordability.”