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Number of licensed taxis doubles in Moscow since last September

Approximately 9,000 taxi licenses have been issued in Moscow by September 2011 when the city tax law entered into force

MOSCOW, August 26 (Itar-Tass) —— The number of licensed taxis in Moscow has doubled since last September, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. He promised to issue the license to the 20,000th taxi driver at a special ceremony.

Approximately 9,000 taxi licenses have been issued in Moscow by September 2011 when the city tax law entered into force. The number grew to 12,700 by January 1, 2012. “Judging by this trend, we may have the 20,000th licensed taxi driver on September 5,” head of the Moscow city transport department Maxim Liksutov said.

“So, the number of licensed taxi drives in the city has doubled over the past year. I think we should celebrate the issue of the 20,000th license,” the mayor observed.

A concept of tax service in Moscow and suburbs for the next five to ten years will be ready in September, Liksutov said. “There are still some disagreements to smooth over. We are closely cooperating with the Federal Antimonopoly Service. I think all the disputable issues will be resolved in September. There aren’t many of them left,” he said.

“Joint efforts in the prevention of illegal taxi service are one of the hitherto unsettled problems,” he said. “We think that the priority must be given to licensed taxi drivers in their access to road infrastructure and parking space near cultural centers and railroad terminals. We are drafting proposals to the effect.”