Several tens of cabs were parked on January 24 in protest in front of the Government Building. The cab drivers who came to the Great National Assembly Square complained that they work at a loss and the recent rises in the price of methane affect them more seriously. They demand that the authorities should offer them support, IPN reports.

The taxi drivers noted that they do not remain with earnings after they pay the taxes and the costs for fuel and the state should intervene. A solution is to provide subsidies. If they are not heard, they will mount larger protests.

The Association of Taxi Road Carriers said that many of the taxi companies became direct or indirect hostage to the foreign mobile taxi booking platforms as the fares are dictated by the chief from Moscow. The companies cannot set the own prices. To remain afloat somehow, they often resort to violations of the fiscal laws and illegally transport passengers. Such actions intensified after the price of methane grew considerably at the end of last year.

“This, as an indirect and immediate effect, generates severe disloyal competition and damage to rival companies. We witness an amazing paradox in Moldova – the gas prices are dictated from Moscow and the taxi fares are set also there. Moreover, the taxi drivers working for companies that cannot set fares that would cover the costs and taxes start to protest, expressing their dissatisfaction with the rise in prices and absence of incomes,” said representatives of the Association.