Authorities’ and agencies’ reports on the effects of taxi regulation ready

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has received reports from the Transport and Communications Agency, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority and the Tax Administration on the effects of the revised taxi regulation. The reports are available in the Government project portal.

In the summer of 2019, the Minister of Transport and Communications Sanna Marin requested an assessment of the functioning of taxi regulation as well as suggestions on how to address its problems. The reports are based on the Government Programme emphasising the safety of taxi services, actions against the shadow economy, transparency of pricing, availability of the services and regional accessibility.

"The concerns are justified," says the new Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka. Based on extensive surveys, the Transport and Communications Agency has reported that prices have increased and that customers' sense of security has declined. The Tax Administration has evaluated the effects of the changes in taxi service regulation from the perspective of shadow economy. The Competition and Consumer Authority highlights the challenges of competitive tendering for publicly subsidised transport. 

The changes in the regulation of taxi services were part of the comprehensive reform of the transport market legislation. The main parts of the new Act on Transport Services entered into force on 1 July 2018.

What next?

On the basis of the reports, the Ministry will draw up an assessment memorandum that will be published in early 2020. 

"A legislative project to address the shortcomings will be launched immediately. The aim is to complete the legislative amendments in the beginning of 2021," says Minister Harakka.

Inquiries:

Olli-Pekka Rantala, Director General, tel. +358 295 34 2585, Twitter @op_rantala
Requests to interview Minister Harakka: Matti Sadeniemi, tel. +358 40 586 7234