Fines have been introduced in the Moscow region for individuals illegally offering taxi services at airports, according to the Moscow Regional Duma. The penalties will be enforced near Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports.

Individuals face a fine of 5,000 rubles, officials will be fined 20,000 rubles, and legal entities will be fined 50,000 rubles.

According to Igor Bryntsalov, Chairman of the Moscow Regional Duma, these private taxi drivers often do not undergo required medical examinations or ensure their vehicles pass technical inspections.

He also noted that these illegal taxis frequently charge significantly higher fares compared to regulated services.

The Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure of the Moscow Region will be responsible for enforcing these fines.

Mikhail Mikhailov, president of a taxi drivers association, suggests that the fines may primarily affect employees of official carriers offering rides privately, rather than unlicensed drivers.

Mikhailov claims that illegal drivers have protection from third parties, receiving advance notice of inspections, which he believes will strengthen monopolies at the airports, benefiting those who pay for “protection” while disadvantaging entrepreneurs, small businesses, dispatch services, and independent taxi companies.

Taxi driver Sergei, working within a virtual aggregator system, anticipates the potential expansion of these fines to city railway stations if a substantial number of violations are observed.

Sergei stated that the effectiveness of the fines hinges on their magnitude and the active enforcement of the regulations, as he believes the number of solicitors is not particularly high.