RIGA — Deputy Mayor Ainārs Šlesers has accused police of not doing enough to stem fraudulent and criminal behavior within the taxi industry, following a turf war involving rival city cab companies.
In a heated exchange at an emergency council meeting called on Friday Šlesers lashed out at police, saying they had shown a lack of will in tackling the ongoing issue, also questioning their complicity in the mafia-controlled industry.
Police authorities denied they had been sitting on their hands, saying they were committed to stamping out problems.
The meeting came following the emergence of a turf war involving newly launched Baltic Taxi company and other competing city cab companies.
Šlesers has called for a shake-up within the industry, which he says has been ripping off tourists and locals alike for years.
It’s not yet clear though what reforms, if any, will be implemented by city authorities.
However, Šlesers earlier hinted that taxi companies found to be in breach of government regulations could have their licenses revoked.
He has also suggested scaling back the number of taxi companies in Riga.
There are currently more than 70 cab companies operating in Riga, which authorities say has lead to an escalation in fare hikes and other dubious practices.
Taxi drivers interviewed for local media have denied they are engaged in deliberate criminal activity, saying they were average people simply trying to earn a living and support their families.
They also accused Baltic Taxi’s of exaggerating the issue for their own gain in order to seize control of the market share.
Shots were fired at a Baltic Taxi en route from the airport overnight last Wednesday.
In a separate incident a female driver from Baltic Taxi was harassed and her vehicle damaged after being set upon by three drivers from rival companies in Old Town.
Baltic Taxi was launched last Monday in cooperation with national airline carrier airBaltic, with the aim of offering an honest service. The taxi company accompanies other brand extensions of AirBaltic.
