Airport, Latvia, Transport

Flick said that the main goal behind the establishment of the new taxi company was to put an end to the dishonest practices among many taxi drivers in Riga, and the company will have as many taxis as necessary to achieve this goal, informs LETA.

"The goal of Baltic TAXI is to achieve that fraud is eliminated in the taxi business within one year. If we need to increase the fleet to 500 vehicles to achieve this, we will do it," Flick stressed.

Flick said that the government and society in general must take responsibility for what is happening around them, because the Latvian national economy loses several million lats every year due to the disorderly environment.

"The Riga City Council, the police, the Prosecutor's Office, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau KNAB, the Municipal Police, the Government and the Prime Minister – they all are aware of the fact that taxi drivers cheat tourists and local people.

Unfortunately, nobody has done anything to ensure order; so far, only long official letters have been written to explain why nothing can be done," said Flick.

Flick also added that he will make sure that the new taxi business is profitable.

Janis Naglis, one of the Baltic Taxi founders and co-owners, said that the new taxis will also be suited for people with disabilities, and the taxi drivers will be able to communicate in several languages as well as inform tourists about the key historic and cultural monuments in the city.

Baltic Taxi has so far received the license for operations in Riga, Jurmala and Marupe, but if the business is successful, it could expand to Ogre, Jelgava, Sigulda and Saulkrasti.

Naglis declined to reveal investments in the new company, he only said that the co-owners each invested a roughly equal amount of money in the new business.

The taxis, "Toyota Yaris" automobiles painted in airBaltic corporate colors, have already been operating for about one-and-a-half weeks, and the results so far show that Baltic Taxi income and costs can be balanced. The company will be working in a test regime for two months, said Naglis.

Baltic Taxi currently has 50 cars. Boarding a Baltic Taxi car costs LVL 0.5. Prepaid rides are also available for the price of LVL 9.

Baltijas aviacijas sistemas, which belongs to Flick, owns 51% of Baltic Taxi shares, and Janis Naglis the other 49%.

The company's share capital is LVL 3,000.