The Ministry of Transport proposes to pass a law allowing taxi services via mobile apps5/10/2017|Press releasesThe Ministry of Transport prepares a draft amendment to the law that would allow taxi providers in commercial transport to use mobile applications instead of the taxameter. The resort has been working on the preparation of the basic principles of the new legislation since the beginning of the year with the representatives of other resorts and operators of conventional as well as alternative taxi services. The Ministry of Transport is also going to today's meeting in the government office with this proposal. The meeting is devoted to more general issues of shared economy. "We cannot forbid modern applications and services. But everybody has to obey the same rules. This applies to regular taxi services but also to, for example, Uber. Some companies have built up a bad reputation due to overpricing customers and their behaviour and now they fear their competitors. Others are breaching the law, claiming that this is just carpooling but it is regular business for them, but without a permit and taxi-like insurance," says the Transport Minister Dan Ťok. Therefore, we will propose to legalise applications as an alternative to the taxameter. Regarding the TAXI identification on the roof, each car could be labelled with a sticker as in some European countries. Current taxi drivers have to get used to the situation and adapt to the demand for services that are not overpriced. On the other hand, Uber drivers will have to comply with rules, have a trade license for transportation and adhere to city ordinances applicable in the city where they are driving," adds minister Ťok. The objective is that all providers of these services enjoy equal market condition. It would be just another way to operate the taxi, i.e. each provider would have to hold the relevant trade license and have the vehicle registered plus the driver would have to hold the permission of a taxi driver. The use of taxi applications will be regulated by applicable law. The possibility and method how the application will be regulated depends on whether their providers will be considered to be the transport service or information service. It is important that each vehicle which provides commercial transportation is identified as a commercial vehicle intended for the transportation of third parties, e.g. with an identification sticker or a plaque. App-based transportation would also be possible only based on the demand of the passenger who has the respective application downloaded in his/her mobile phone. The reason is that customer's prior consent with the transportation terms and the credibility of the application, to which the customers will provide their data, must be ensured. The definition of shared economy and its legal regulations in the field of transport services is another general question. Further progress with these matters will be the subject of today's meeting of the Work Group at the Government Office.