Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Taxation, Transport

Initially taxicab drivers held a picket by the State Revenue Service building on Tuesday morning and later were invited to a meeting with State Revenue Service representatives.

The drivers during the meeting criticized the tax authority for too short deadline for replacing the taximeters, and failure to listen to the sector’s problems.

The Revenue Service representatives promised not to impose sanctions on those taxi drivers who fall behind the deadline.

Ilmars Lancers, a board member of the association of Latvian taxicab companies said earlier that the main reason for the picket was the short deadline for replacement of the taximeters. The company have been given a month, but the only firm that can ensure the replacement of the taximeters can manage to replace some 20-25 taximeters a day. He said that it is not possible to replace 2,000 taximeters in a month, therefore the deadline should be extended.

State Revenue Service general director Ilze Cirule thanked the taxicab drivers for their activity, voicing hopes that all the parties have a common goal – to reduce shadow economy in the sector.

As reported, on Tuesday morning several dozens of taxicab drivers have gathered by the State Revenue Service head office to protest against the ambiguous taximeter requirements, LETA observed.

The most visible cabs among them were from Panda taxi company, but there are also representatives from other taxicab companies. The drivers have parked their cars in the parking lot, while some 30 drivers are standing next to the entrance doors holding posters that say „Unrealistic deadlines for change of taximeters” and others.

The protest was peaceful and State Police and municipal police officers were watching it.

At around 8:30 a.m. picket participants went to a meeting with representatives of the State Revenue Service to discuss the problem issues. Some 50 drivers had arrived by that time.