More taxi passengers in 2008

The number of taxi passengers increased by 48 percent to more than 2.3 million by the end of September, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Economic analyst Veaceslav Ionita, expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”, says that the real number of passengers is at least 7 times bigger . The statistics of the NBS are far from being actual, because they are based on the often inaccurate data provided by the companies, the expert told Info-Prim Neo. Ionita believes that one of the factors which contributed to the increase in the number of persons who chose to travel by taxi, is the order for the taxi companies to use taximeters. The checks issued to the customer offers him a greater confidence that the sum paid for the service corresponds to its real price. Ina Cerchin, administrator at Danden Grup Taxi Service, confirmed a slight increase in the number of costumers, by about 10 percent. The number of costumers of “Premier Taxi” increased by 30 percent, according to Olga Rusu, the company's representative. The management of the “Davilar Trans” stated that it has never provided information on the number of its clients to the NBS and its representatives were confused about the numbers publicized by the institution. According to a study published by IDIS “Viitorul”, there were about 800 vehicles authorized to provide taxi services in Chisinau in 2007. Another 1000 taxi drivers are working without a license. The same study shows that the number of taxi passengers is estimated at about 16.6 million per year. At the moment, there are 25 companies operating on the market of taxi services.