The tragic taxi accident on March 10, 2025, on Vishnevsky Street, Kazan, has sparked serious concerns about passenger safety and driver vetting processes within the taxi industry. The driver, Evgeny Krusev, struck 11 individuals at a bus stop, raising questions about how such incidents can occur and the measures currently in place to prevent them.
According to reports from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, Krusev had been using fraudulent medical documentation from a psychiatrist-narcologist to work as a taxi driver. This shocking discovery not only highlights the ineffectiveness of current regulations but also emphasizes the negligence of taxi aggregators who often prioritize ratings over the safety of their passengers.
One taxi driver, Victor Alexandrov, who has worked with Yandex.Taxi for several years, expressed frustration with the current system. "Nobody ever checked me for sobriety," Alexandrov stated. "Having bad reviews can lead to punishment, but they never ask about criminal records or driving history." This statement underlines the systemic issues in the taxi industry, where drivers facing the burden of poor customer feedback can have their livelihoods affected, yet the safety protocols meant to protect both drivers and passengers are almost nonexistent.
Following the accident, officials from the State Traffic Inspectorate conducted extensive raids to identify taxi drivers violating regulations, particularly the ban on labor migrants from driving taxis. Reports from the inspectorate revealed the identification of 12 violations during one day of inspections, where significant penalties were levied for various infractions related to vehicle functionality and documentation.
The investigative results unveiled multiple shortcomings, with several drivers cited for operating vehicles without necessary diagnostic certifications, indicating severe lapses not only on their part but also highlighting the failures of the taxi aggregators who connect these drivers to passengers.
Vladlen Kopvillem, legal expert for the Federation of Car Owners of Russia, argued for stronger oversight on taxi operations. He emphasized, "To provide safety, rigorous monitoring of taxi operations needs to be enforced." His comments reflect the urgent need for reforms to address the dangerous loopholes currently exploited by unscrupulous drivers.
Further compounding the problem, the Ministry of Transportation noted through its spokespersons the effort to curb illegal driving operations by labor migrants. The ministry confirmed its dedication to enforcing laws established to regulate the taxi sector. Still, the depth of current illicit practices, such as drivers using fake IDs or working under fictitious names, raises doubts about the efficiency of these measures.
During the overview of the situation, local authorities issued multiple citations for various regulatory breaches related to illegal driver employment. Cited infractions included conditions leading to unsafe vehicle operations, thereby compromising public safety.
Taxi aggregators have been criticized for their policy of penalizing drivers based solely on customer ratings. Victims of unfair feedback, including passengers under the influence or those damaging vehicles, have left drivers susceptible to impactful penalties. These practices need re-evaluation and reform to offer more reliable standards for evaluating driver performance concerning safety.
Current taxi regulations allow various loopholes for entry without comprehensive background checks or medical examinations to assess drivers’ fitness. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs reveals concerning trends where vehicles are operated without proper oversight, endangering the lives of passengers and pedestrians alike.
Taxi operators have called upon their customers for aid, asking them to report suspicious activities relating to driver identification and operations. The community is encouraged to actively participate by providing necessary information to safeguard against dangerous practices.
Despite all efforts appearing to be made by responsible authorities, the rapid adaptation to circumvent regulations poses questions on how effective management challenges can be addressed. Without stringent systems to enforce laws and verify compliance, the safety of passengers could continue to remain compromised.
This incident has ignited discussions across the region about how taxi drivers are vetted and how safety protocols are instituted. Serious questions about regulatory enforcement and accountability must be answered if steps toward enhancing public safety within taxi transport are to be taken.
