Taxi drivers in several Russian regions are reducing shifts and refusing long-distance trips due to gasoline shortages and rising fuel prices, according to industry participants cited by Kommersant.
Sergei Privalov, a board member of the National Association of Taxi Fleets, said drivers are avoiding long routes and orders to city centers because of the high risk of running out of fuel. The article did not specify which regions are experiencing a shortage of available cars.
Representatives of taxi fleets reported varying figures for the recent outflow of drivers from the industry — from 5–10% to 20%. The ride-hailing service Maxim confirmed that the number of active drivers on the line is decreasing in several regions. Yandex Taxi declined to comment.
The driver exodus is also reflected in consumer spending. According to calculations by the Sber Index service, spending on taxis, car-sharing, and car rentals fell by 3% in the week of June 22–28, while overall spending on all goods and services rose by 7.9%.
In regions where restrictions are targeted, the shortage has not yet had a noticeable impact on orders, market participants noted. However, where authorities have already imposed limits on fuel sales, queues at gas stations are growing — increasing time costs for drivers. According to The Insider, fuel shortages have affected at least 86 regions of Russia and occupied territories.
Rising prices at gas stations have reduced the profitability of passenger transportation. The fuel crisis in the country has been ongoing for more than a month, and an increasing number of regions are introducing various restrictions on gasoline sales.