Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Tuesday that taxi companies might be required to offer free rides during emergencies like terrorist attacks.
Sobyanin made the announcement after gypsy cab drivers at Domodedovo Airport demanded up to 25,000 rubles ($830) for the 42-kilometer trip into Moscow after Monday's suicide bombing.
Sobyanin said taxi companies would be asked to sign an agreement obliging them to keep "minimum" fares or to offer free transportation during emergencies, NTV television reported.
No taxi companies were accused of inflating fares Monday, and it was unclear how Sobyanin's proposed agreement would regulate unlicensed gypsy cab drivers.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
