Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, Chiril Gaburici, today convened the Taxi Carrier Association in order to discuss the situation in the field of taxi services. Namely, the reduction in the number of drivers and transport units, following the control actions recently undertaken by the National Auto Transport Agency, the State Tax Service and the National Patrolled Inspectorate. "With the intensification of controls, taxi cars disappeared, a clear evidence that many drivers were operating illegally. It is a situation that alerts me, especially since school starts in two weeks - the period when the number of taxi requests increases. That's why until Thursday I ask for concrete solutions, otherwise we can solve the situation in the field. The number of cars and drivers needs to be adjusted to meet demand", said the Minister.

Chiril Gaburici asked the Taxi Carrier Association to come up with concrete proposals to combat illicit activity in the field. The Minister reiterated that they would continue the checks. "Our goal is not to walk with the taxi companies, but to create equal conditions for all actors in the field. Once taxi drivers were required to offer travelers vouchers, we began fighting with illicit carriers. On October 1, the changes to the Road Code will come into force and we will have all the tools and levers needed to force taxi companies operating online to comply with the law, "the Minister of Economy and Infrastructure pointed out. The representative of the Taxi Carrier Association appreciated the new tax system, which will come into force on 1 October 2018, stating that this will increase the quality of services in the field. According to the changes, taxi drivers with a salary of less than 10,000 lei will pay a fixed income tax of 500 lei per month. Also, the medical and social insurance will be the 12th part of the annual rate, and the expenses for the repair of the cars will become deductible.

These tax incentives will allow taxi companies to renew their car fleet and provide quality services to citizens. I understand that we have started fighting with illicit carriers, and this is proof of how many of them were legally working and how many were operating illegally without home appliances, "said Cyril Gaburici. Previously, Minister Chiril Gaburici had discussions with economic agents providing taxi-based passenger transport services and those who own restaurants, hotels and bars on the tax system and the actions to be taken to combat illegal activity in these areas.