OREANDA-NEWS. August 07, 2012. The Head of the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Moscow Region (Moscow OFAS), Rachik Petrosyan, speaking at the Round Table, organized by RBK Information Agency, stated that it would be dangerous to fix tariffs on a highly competitive market of taxi transportation, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

According to the new concept of taxi transportation, it is planned to introduce a single fixed tariff for travelling in Moscow. It is also planned to compile a list of car models allowed for transportation and organize a single call-centre.

In the opinion of the Head of Moscow OFAS, tariffs on this market should not be fixed since it could adversely affect competitive ability, and price predictability can be achieved by establishing an information disclosure standard, by putting such information on cars.

“Our main objective is to improve the main infrastructure elements for taxi transportation, ensure equal access to legitimate carriers. Thus, general public will have a possibility to cost-efficiently, conveniently and safely use services of Moscow taxi companies. As a result, unlawful transportation will be replaced on its own with legitimate transportation”, pointed out Rachik Petrosyan.

As for the list of taxi car models, the Head of Moscow OFAS clarifies: “Car requirements must not result in restricting competition among the same models. Naturally, if it happens, Moscow OFAS will start receiving petitions and we will have to react. Minimum requirements must be set to achieve quality and safety standards.”

The Round Table also discussed formation of a single call-centre. Rachik Petrosyan emphasized that the call-centre must function to satisfy general needs of the city and its work would not create conditions for unfair competition among taxi companies and the existing call-centres. If the structure of such call-centre is correct, every taxi customer will be able to approach the single service in an incident of infringing one’s legitimate rights and interests, which will help achieving high quality standards.

In conclusion, Rachik Petrosyan explained that the presented concept was preliminary and would require a comprehensive revision.