In Russia, two significant changes are being introduced for self-employed taxi drivers starting in October. First, the working time for drivers through a single aggregator (order platform) will be limited to 60 hours per month. Upon reaching this limit, the system will automatically block the driver's ability to accept new orders.
The second change concerns drivers working in Moscow and the Moscow region; they are no longer required to have local residency (registration). Drivers registered in any region of Russia will be able to obtain permits to work legally in the capital and the region. Experts believe these measures could partially address the driver shortage and reduce waiting times for orders.
However, drivers and experts emphasize that these innovations will not lead to lower prices. Rising fuel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses, and market demand remain the primary factors influencing prices. Increased competition among drivers is also raising concerns regarding income levels.
It should be noted that the 60-hour limit applies only to work with a single client (aggregator). According to drivers, market conditions and rising costs prevent any decrease in taxi service prices.
