HOK proposes solutions for regulating the taxi industry

The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) has requested the relevant ministry to include representatives of the HOK Taxi Transport Section in the process of drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act, while also offering its solutions to the accumulated problems in taxi transport, they announced on Wednesday from HOK.

They propose that the license for performing taxi transport be issued for one vehicle and one registration plate and that the obligation to possess an extract from the license be reinstated, considering that the existing solution, which requires the taxi carrier to have only a copy of the license in the vehicle and to maintain a database of vehicles with which they perform taxi transport, is actually subject to various manipulations. They believe that a significant part of the problem could be resolved by re-establishing the obligation to possess an extract from the license, which would replace the copy of the license.

They also advocate for the introduction of standardized registration plates for taxi vehicles, which would allow users of taxi services to know at all times that they are being driven by a taxi carrier licensed to perform passenger taxi transport. Furthermore, stipulating a maximum price for taxi services per kilometer is also one of the key proposals, the adoption of which, they believe in HOK, would avoid situations of charging unrealistic service prices, which are enabled by provisions that allow each taxi carrier to set their own pricing for taxi services. In addition to this, they wish to consider legal regulation of the possible occurrence of predatory pricing, i.e., the creation of unfair competition.

HOK President Dalibor Kratohvil emphasizes that they have presented only three items in the proposal that are necessary to change for the regulation of the taxi industry, while the HOK Taxi Transport Section has prepared additional proposals for amendments.

– We are a key stakeholder in the dialogue on drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act; only together can we produce the best solutions for this pressing issue. The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts represents the interests of more than 6,000 craftsmen engaged in taxi transport, and this year we have had quality and constructive communication and cooperation with the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure regarding amendments to the Regulation on Special Conditions for Public Road Transport and Transport for Own Needs – emphasized Kratohvil.

HOK reminds that this spring, through timely action, they managed to enable the continued use of electronic applications as taximeters, which they believe has eliminated the threat to the business of most taxi drivers. At HOK’s initiative, an urgent meeting was held on this topic because as much as 90 percent of HOK members provide taxi services using an electronic application as a taximeter. The Ministry explained that they are aware of the situation on the ground, but also emphasized that the intention is for the user to know the price and planned route of travel in advance, even before entering the vehicle, thus protecting the service user. A compromise solution was reached at the meeting, whereby the legislator allowed the continued use of electronic applications as taximeters on the condition that the highest tariff and the highest price for a comparable ride of five kilometers and 15 minutes are displayed.

– We believe that we need to continue with good practices and that the announced amendments to the Law must also be made in accordance with the profession, but also represent a comprehensive solution for regulating the taxi industry with clearly defined guidelines for all stakeholders involved in this type of passenger transport – concludes Kratohvil.