Opinion of the Competition Authority on the Bill on amendments to the Act on Taxicab Operations No. 120/2022 (Safety and Working Environment), 84th matter, 157th Parliament 2025-2026

The Bill includes increased obligations for taxi ranks. It is proposed that the ranks will be required to collect more information than before, including about journeys and services, and this must be stored in an encrypted form for 60 days from the date of each individual taxi journey. It is also proposed that taxi booking centres will be required to have an independent third party carry out an assessment of their digital systems, with the aim of ensuring the security and quality of the data. The proposals in the draft bill therefore appear to involve increased costs for taxi firms, which could both reduce competition in the market and lead to higher service prices for consumers.

The Competition Authority does not downplay the need to protect the safety and interests of taxi passengers, and that necessary regulations must be in place for these safety interests. However, the bill introduces a complex and costly licensing scheme with associated restrictions on competition, which could lead to higher prices for consumers and poorer service.