Latvia, Law and Regulations, Legislation, Technology, Transport

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Thursday, 28.03.2024, 19:28

Latvian Saeima passes regulations on ride-sharing services

BC, Riga, 28.09.2017.Print version
Saeima today passed in the final reading amendments to the Law on Carriage by Road to lay down the rules on ride sharing and improve regulations on taxi drivers in Latvia.

Ride sharing is commercial transport of passengers in automobiles with four or less passenger seats, Saeima Press Service told LETA. The service may only be offered, requested and confirmed online or via mobile phones, and provided only for electronic payments.


The amended law will come into force on March 1, 2018.


Romans Naudins (National Alliance), chairman of Saeima Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee that drew up the amendments, previously said that there were several risks associated with ride sharing that would be addressed in the new legislation. These risks mostly concern qualifications of drivers, and tax payments by drivers providing ride-sharing services. The amendments also stipulate creating a public register of taxi drivers.


The amendments also specify rules on taxi drivers.


The regulation for ride-sharing services approved by Saeima today is a big step towards the implementation of modern and technology based services, which will serve as an integral part of the passenger transportation market, the Economy Ministry told LETA.


''Digital transport networks promote economic freedom, creating platforms which offer flexible employment opportunities for economic active residents, so that they are able to gain additional revenue. The simplicity and responsibility which this platform provides directly impacts economic opportunities and expands entrepreneurship,'' Econo y Minister Arvils Aseradens (Unity) points out.


According to him, this result is the result of intense inter-sector work and a substantial change in the way we think. ''We are open to this economic modernization, including it in the national economy model, which brings together traditional sectors with new technologies,'' he said, adding that consumers, as well as the urban environment and business sectors will also gain from this.






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