Makhachkala authorities demand from drivers of shuttle buses to stop reducing fares

In Makhachkala, drivers of shuttle buses on urban route No. 19 have reduced fare from 17 down to 15 roubles. The drivers' decision is connected with their refusal to pay a fee of 3100 roubles to the municipal unitary enterprise (MUE) "Goravtotrans" for a waybill. The Makhachkala authorities have stated that the drivers' decision does not comply with the law.

The information on reduction of fare in shuttle buses on route No. 19 was received by the SMS-service of the "Caucasian Knot" on October 22.

According to Isalmagomed Nabiev, Chairman of the independent trade union of entrepreneurs and drivers of Dagestan, the decision to reduce fare was made by about 50 drivers at the meeting held on October 21.

Isalmagomed Nabiev notes that during 17 years, drivers were obliged to receive the so-called waybills, which were not formally registered. According to the Chairman of the independent trade union, that procedure allowed the "Mahachkalatrans" (now "Goravtotrans") to get the unaccounted income in the amount of more than 3 billion roubles. During that time, according to Isalmagomed Nabiev, none of the drivers was registered as an entrepreneur and thus, none of them did pay taxes.

Isalmagomed Nabiev has noted that drivers of shuttle buses on other routes are waiting for resolution of the conflict.

Andrei Guseinov, Chief of the Department for industry, transport, communications and road infrastructure of the Makhachkala city administration, has stated that the refusal of some taxi drivers to work as members of the MUE "Goravtotrans" and their fare reduction for shuttle busses on route No. 19 may result in severe penalties.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.