Drivers of fixed-route taxis of Vladikavkaz announce readiness for endless strike

On May 21, the drivers of fixed-route taxis of Vladikavkaz plan to go on an endless strike in protest against the scheduled optimization of urban routes and increase of travel tariffs.

An appeal to city passengers appeared in taxis, where the drivers inform about their endless strike to start on Monday and apologize to the citizens.

According to transport professionals, since July 1, the number of intercity routes will drop by almost half – from 51 to 28. The passenger carriers will be selected on a tender basis. Besides, a mandatory medical check-up is introduced for the drivers; while all the vehicles will undergo technical inspection.

According to the drivers, whose opinion was quoted by the GTRK (State TV and Radio Company) "Alania", the optimization was devised with one goal in mind: redistribution of businesses under one's own interest. The planned routes and the number of vehicles will fail to meet the passengers' demand. As a result, unannounced new routes will begin to appear all over again.

The demands of the strike organizers are as follows: to cancel the optimisation of urban routes and the govt's decision to increase the fare (starting June 1 it will rise from 10 to 12 roubles for one trip in a fixed-route taxi), the publication of the trade union named "Solidarity" writes.

The administration of Vladikavkaz asserts that the drivers are "artificially stirring up the situation."