Russia's taxi-drivers likely to set up National Council

MOSCOW, August 3 (Itar-Tass) - The 1st all-Russia congress of
taxi-drivers opens here on Wednesday. The congress is to take place at the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Russia under the auspices of the
All-Russia Popular Front (ONF) and with support from the Russian Ministry
of Transport. The taximen intend to discuss how the entering into force of
a new Federal law regulating transportation by taxis will tell on their
work.
Congress organizers say the main purpose of the congress is to work
out a number of concrete measure with a view to minimizing problems for
small and medium-sized businesses.
"Federal Law 69 takes effect on September 1, 2011. The Law, which
reguates cabbing business, was adopted without a due consultation with the
professional community and it now brings about a lot of problems right up
to forcing some taxi-drivers, for the sake of survival, to resort to
illegal transportation practices. Many would have to quit cabbing business
altogether," explained Vyacheslav Lysakov, chairman of the organizing
committee of the congress, member of the ONF Federal Coordinating Council,
and leader of the Fredom of Choice movement.
Lysakov said a whole lot of the Law-specified provisions give rise to
protests among taxi-drivers who oppose provisions that stilulate that
taxicabs may be olnly privately-owned, not rented or leased, that vehicles
must be subjected to technical inspection every six months, that taxicabs
should have "checkers" painted, beprovided with taxi-meters, and
compulsory change of the colour of the vehicle's paint.
More than 250 delegates from 53 regions have been registered.
Representatives of other countries are also expected to take part. Invited
are Members of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine, the Chairman of
the Taximen's Union of Ukraine, and delegates from the International Union
of Automobile Transport. Lysakov said 26 reports are to be presented at
the congres and deal with "both this specific law and the general economic
situation".
"We shall suggest that the professional community unite into a
non-profit organization which would be able to represent the interests of
this profession at all levels of government. Such an organization will be
named a National Council of Taximen and will seek compromises between the
users, the State, and (cabbing) business," Lysakov said.
A declaration is being prepared for adoption as a result of the
congress. It includes a package of specific proposals for the authorities.
The document will be referred to the Government of the Russian Federation,
the RF Federa; Assembly (parliament), and to regional organizations.