What passengers need to know when ordering a taxi car "from the side"

Monday, 13 January 2025

Recently, when ordering taxi services without using information systems, mobile applications, dispatcher services (so-called "from the side" trips), there have been more frequent cases of carrying passengers at unreasonably high rates. In this regard, we draw the attention of passengers to the following information.

The state regulates prices (tariffs) for socially significant goods (services). Transportation of passengers by taxi cars is not considered such a service. Tariffs for transportation by taxi cars are set by business entities independently based on the market situation in conditions of free competition.

In accordance with Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated January 9, 2002 No. 90-Z “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, the consumer has the right to information about services.

According to paragraph 14 of the Rules for the Carriage of Passengers by Road (approved by Government Resolution No. 972 dated June 30, 2008), the following information must be placed in the passenger compartment of a taxi vehicle in a place visible to the passenger:

a business card containing the driver's last name and initials, as well as his photograph;
information about the name (surname, first name, patronymic (if any), location (place of residence) and contact phone numbers of the carrier;
information board indicating all tariffs used by the carrier: tariff per 1 km (day and night), outside the city, subscription cost, cost of boarding, downtime, ordering a taxi by phone, other tariff conditions.

According to paragraph 169 of the Rules for the Carriage of Passengers by Road, a taxi passenger has the right, when placing an order for a trip, to receive information about tariffs and (or) the estimated cost, as well as other conditions for the performance of the transportation.

In this regard, when ordering a taxi car "from the side", we recommend that you clarify with the driver the approximate cost of the trip in rubles. Phrases such as "by the meter", "by tariffs" and other similar ones may serve as a signal that someone is trying to mislead you.

Also, paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights establishes the obligation of the performer (driver, carrier) to promptly provide the consumer with the necessary and reliable information about the price (tariffs) of the service and the terms of its payment.

In case of failure to provide this information, the consumer has the right to terminate the contract for the transportation of a passenger by taxi and demand a refund of the money paid for the service rendered.

We remind you that in accordance with paragraph 169 of the Rules for Automobile Transportation, a passenger has the right to refuse to pay for a trip in the event of the provision of a transportation service with a faulty, switched off (blocked) taxi cash register or a cash register combined with a taximeter, with the exception of cases of transportation performed by taxi vehicles ordered and paid for through an electronic information system using bank payment card details.

Dear passengers, please be extremely vigilant and attentive when ordering a taxi car "from the side".