In Irkutsk, some taxi drivers went on strike on February 24, protesting low fares and price dumping in the local market. The taxi service Maxim said it was operating normally.

Taxi drivers announced a strike and decided not to go to work. The protest is related to low fares for transporting passengers. Some Irkutsk drivers joined a protest on February 24 against price dumping in the local market.
The reason is that city carriers are undercutting prices. It has become unprofitable for drivers to work, and there is not enough money to maintain their cars.
“At such prices, it will be impossible to keep the vehicles in good condition, clean and repair them on time,” says Artemy Shtil, a representative of the Irkutsk Region Taxi Drivers Association.
It is known that the initiators of the protest intend to discuss the problem on February 24, including with representatives of the regional authorities.
“We are focused on uniting all Irkutsk drivers and local taxi services, and legalizing them,” Artemy Shtil summed up.
In an official comment, the taxi service “Maxim” states that drivers are calling for a boycott of taxi dispatch services in Irkutsk.
No protesters with complaints came to the company office. On February 24, there were false calls distracting taxi drivers from actual orders.
The phone numbers from which the false calls were made were immediately blocked by operators. The service is being provided to Irkutsk residents as usual.
- Each driver independently, based on their own wishes and the requirements of the dispatch service, decides whether or not to cooperate with us. If drivers violate transportation rules, draw complaints from customers, or otherwise harm the company’s image, cooperation with them is terminated. Those who want to work with us work and earn well, ­­- says the comment from the taxi service “Maxim”.