The head of the region, Radiy Khabirov, made changes to the law “On the organization of transport services for the population by automobile and urban ground electric transport in the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan.” The new edition states that taxi cars must meet the Euro-3 eco-class. AvtoVAZ still produces simplified cars with Euro-2 engines.
The new Technical Regulations allow Russian car factories to produce simplified cars, neglecting the environment, active and passive safety. The relaxations are valid until February 1, 2024, and AvtoVAZ takes advantage of them: the cheapest Lada Granta is certified to the Euro-2 standard. However, the way to a Bashkir taxi is now closed for such cars: it will not be possible to obtain a license.
The new federal law “On Taxi” came into force on September 1, 2023: tougher requirements apply to taxi drivers. But the environmental class of cars for private transportation is determined in the regions, so Bashkortostan may not be the only subject of the Russian Federation where the new simplified Lada will become unsuitable for legal taxi work.
A taxi license is valid for five years, so drivers who managed to obtain permits before the new law came into force will not be excluded from the register. Whether the authorities will accommodate the owners of simplified Ladas, time will tell.
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