As Christmas approaches according to the old calendar, Chisinau Deputy Mayor Nistor Grozavu promised taxi operators won't inflate the fares like it happened on New Year's Eve. To profit from the traditional commotion on New Year's Eve, many taxi operators in the city doubled the fares, but that hadn't been agreed with the municipality, Grozavu told Info-Prim Neo. Next week the City Hall will summon the representatives of these companies to discuss the issue. Nistor Grozavu said that the taxi operators failed to announce the passengers about the increased fares well in advance, and many drivers asked for double charges without their operators knowing. There are around 30 companies authorized to provide taxi services in Chisinau as gypsy cabbing has been banned. Many passengers who called on New Year's Eve for a taxi were surprised to find out that there were either no cars available or the fares had been doubled. At the same time, many taxi drivers were cruising for customers and offering their services at inflated prices. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, some operators said that double fares represented their holiday policy, while others said they hadn't increased the fares and the responsible drivers would be punished.