The committee proposes several new taxi measures: – It is important that we have orderly conditions

– It is important that we have orderly conditions in the taxi industry. It is an important part of the overall transport offer, but has unfortunately become more unclear in recent years, says the transport minister.

Earlier this week, Nygård put forward a proposal to introduce a maximum price for taxi trips in the cities to avoid shock prices. On Friday, he was handed the second interim report from the Taxi Committee and promises to take even more steps.

– This study will help to provide a comprehensive taxi regulation that contributes to a good working life, a satisfactory taxi service, clean economy, safety and compliance with the regulations, says Nygård.

More requirements

In the report, the committee proposes, among other things:

* That taxi license holders can only be associated with one exchange, but that they can offer trips from several intermediary services.

* Greater requirements for internal control in the taxi companies.

* A broad process between the public sector and the parties in the industries to improve working conditions and the working environment.

* To continue the system whereby the county council can grant exclusive rights for taxis where necessary to ensure the taxi service.

* Enshrining in law the responsibility of the county councils for assessing the taxi offer in the one-way market.

Grip for the cities

Committee chairman Hans Petter Graver says that a well-functioning taxi market is important for both the public and private sectors.

He says that they are proposing more specific duties for the center and requirements for control systems in the taxis.

– The aim is to contribute to orderly working conditions, better protection for consumers, to facilitate a white economy and equal conditions of competition in the industry, as well as to increase safety for the passengers and the driver, he said when he presented the report.

– In addition, we propose solutions to counter the problems in the cities linked to the fact that too many taxis sometimes constitute a burden in certain areas, says Graver.

– It is important that laws are complied with

– The taxi industry has an important societal mission. There are many people who are completely dependent on taxis to be able to participate in society on a par with others, Nygård said following receiving the report.

He says that the government is concerned with the white economy in the industry, and that the taxi ride must be safe for both passengers and drivers.

– In addition, it is important that laws and regulations are complied with, and that the taxi industry has orderly working conditions. The committee believes that, in particular, the central affiliation obligation together with the internal control obligation can contribute to this, says the transport minister.

Several measures have already been taken in the taxi market. Among other things, the Storting has already adopted a requirement that everyone must connect to a central office.

Uber is critical

One of the companies affected by the austerity measures is Uber. They are still working on reviewing the proposals from the committee, but spokesperson Peter Lofstrand in Uber Norden still has some initial comments:

– The proposals will lead to less competition and higher prices for taxis, which will not benefit the Norwegian people. In addition, it will create unnecessary obstacles for the drivers who will only increase their costs without adding added value, he says.

He is anxious to see what the supervisory body Esa thinks regarding the proposals, which he believes are contrary to the EEA agreement.

– Must be cleaned up quickly

SV’s Marian Hussein is more positive regarding what is presented:

– The chaos in the taxi industry is a legacy from Erna Solberg which must now be cleaned up quickly. Here the government must step in and ensure that the measures that are good are followed up, so that we actually get a more serious taxi industry and put an end to social dumping and tax evasion, she says.

She points out that 10,000 new taxi licenses have been issued in recent years.

– It goes without saying that the market for drivers is getting tougher that way. If it is to be possible to make a living from driving a taxi, and if people are to be able to continue using taxis without paying expensive fines, then we must regulate the market.