The reduction in the number of cabs following inspections shows many of the drivers worked illegality, said Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Kiril Gaburici. In a meeting with representatives of the Association of Taxi Road Carriers, the minister requested that concrete solitons should be proposed by August 23, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the Ministry.

Kiril Gaburici said the disappearance of cabs is alarming given that the new school year starts in two weeks and the taxi service will be in greater demand then.

The minister instructed the Association’s representatives to suggest solutions for combating the illegal activity in the field. He reiterated that the inspections in the sector will continue. “Our goal is not to force the taxi companies to do something, but to create equal conditions for all the players in the field. By obliging the taxi drivers to issue receipts we started to fight the illegal passenger transportation services,” he stated.

The new taxation system for taxi drivers takes effect on October 1.Under the adopted changes, the cab drivers with a salary lower than 10,000 lei will pay a fixed income tax of 500 lei a month. The medical and health insurance will represent the 12th part of the annual rate, while the costs for repairing the vehicles will be deductible.