Fines may be imposed on "taxi touts" at Moscow train stations

Fines may be imposed on "taxi touts" at the capital's train stations and Vnukovo Airport. This was announced by Vladimir Makarov, Deputy head of the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development, on Thursday, March 12, during a round table in the Moscow City Duma dedicated to regulating the activities of taxi touts at airports and train stations in the city.

He clarified that federal law gives the department the right to ban the offer of passenger and baggage transportation services by light taxi, with the exception of places equipped for these offers.

"Today, the department already has the right, based on its position, to issue an appropriate order that will ban such proposals on the territory of train stations, bus stations and, accordingly, Vnukovo Airport," the Moscow City News agency quoted the official as saying.

According to Makarov, this measure is primarily aimed at ensuring a safe and comfortable trip for passengers.

Makarov recalled that such bans had already been introduced in St. Petersburg and the Moscow Region.

Everyone pays: only a third of carriers have issued an OSGOP policy

Why didn't the vast majority of drivers follow this rule to work?

Earlier, on August 20, 2025, law enforcement officers drew up protocols against seven "taxi touts" near Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. 360.ru .

The Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure of the Moscow region pointed out the insecurity of using illegal taxi services, since passengers are not insured in case of an accident. It is emphasized that the official carrier can be recognized by the white body with a yellow stripe, a checkered belt on board, an orange roof lamp, as well as information about the driver and the company with a QR code in the cabin.

The press service of the department notes that, according to the new amendments to the Administrative Code of the Moscow region, which entered into force on August 19, specialists can hold illegal carriers accountable.

The law on the establishment of fines for offering taxi services at airports in the Moscow region outside the designated areas was adopted on July 30. It was clarified that the fines amount to 5 thousand rubles for citizens, 20 thousand rubles for officials and 50 thousand rubles for legal entities. As explained by the chairman of the Moscow State Duma Igor Bryntsalov, the decision was made so that passengers would not encounter illegal carriers and intrusive "touts".

In turn, Dmitry Gusev, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Control, said in a conversation with the National Assembly that in order to combat illegal taxi drivers, it is necessary not to impose fines, but to simplify the law "On taxis" in terms of passing medical and technical examinations.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.