In Russia, new rules for passenger and baggage transport have come into force, again making taxi checkers, a yellow light and a taximeter mandatory. In Irkutsk, carriers have already studied the document. Some see it as a way to bring order to the market and drive out illegal operators, others worry about equipment costs and arranging parking. Violations now carry a fine of up to 10,000 rubles.

Passenger taxis must now once again be decorated with checkerboard markings and equipped with a taximeter. This is required by the new rules for the transportation of passengers and baggage by motor and urban ground electric transport. They came into force on March 19. It would be useful for ordinary citizens as well to read them — so they know their rights. And carriers have already familiarized themselves with the document — their work requires it.
Yellow light and checkerboard markings — taxis are returning to their former form. Once these identifying signs were mandatory, then they were used at will. Now the presence on a taxi body of a pattern of squares in contrasting colors arranged in a checkerboard pattern and a yellow light is dictated by the rules for the transportation of passengers by motor vehicle. Developed by the Russian government, they have already come into force. The main goal is to bring order to the taxi service market.
Members of the Irkutsk Association of Taxi Owners have reviewed the new rules and agreed with them. Although there were still questions. The main one is the need to install a taximeter. The requirements oblige carriers to issue the passenger a receipt or ticket indicating the data from this device. The cost of purchasing and installing one taximeter is 25,000 rubles. Irkutsk carriers have so far managed to find a way out of the situation.
Grigory Tirskikh, president of the non-profit partnership "Owners of Irkutsk Taxis": "We had a lot of work with the tax authorities. And we still came to a common denominator. Taxis that operate under the imputed tax system — up to 20 vehicles — do not have to install taximeters. This is due to the fact that these devices are very expensive and their maintenance is costly."
Another problem is the mandatory availability of separate taxi stands. They must not occupy lanes intended for public transport. By agreement with the city mayor's office, taxis will not use stopping points during rush hours for now — from 5 to 7 p.m. In the future, the necessary parking places will be designated for them. One of them, says Grigory Tirskikh, is already known — the square near the Barguzin cinema.
Requirements for taxi stands have also been established. According to the rules, they should be equipped with special information signs. In addition to the inscription "Taxi Stand," the operating hours and contact phone numbers must be indicated here.
The creation of stopping points is a plus for the taxi drivers themselves, says Irkutsk resident Oleg Ivanov. He has been transporting passengers for 3 years already. Most clients are in the city center, and there is nowhere to park there. Overall, Oleg approves of the requirements for passenger transportation. He believes the rules will help drive illegal operators out of the market and make it possible to work in conditions of healthy competition.
Oleg Ivanov, taxi driver: "We need to fight the illegal cabbies. If you work, you must pay taxes. And the authorities should fight this. Taxis should have an official market. The unofficial one should go away."
Those who do not intend to follow the rules risk being left out of work. The Association of Irkutsk Taxi Owners intends to send information about such violators to the city transport department. Any deviation from the new rules carries a fine of up to 10,000 rubles.